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| + | ;[[: Category:Pica|Pica]] pica | ||
[[Image:Common_Magpie.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|henkdikkers|henkdikkers}}]] | [[Image:Common_Magpie.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|henkdikkers|henkdikkers}}]] | ||
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| + | [[Image:Magpie IMG 3684.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|teodor|teodor}}]] | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Black head, neck, breast and back. Prominent white side patches and belly<br /> | Black head, neck, breast and back. Prominent white side patches and belly<br /> | ||
Wings and tail, whilst looking black in certain lights, are actually bluey-green and purple<br /> | Wings and tail, whilst looking black in certain lights, are actually bluey-green and purple<br /> | ||
| − | Very long tail, diamond-shaped when spread out | + | Very long tail, diamond-shaped when spread out. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
[[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. Whilst there are 'pockets' (notably Edinburgh and Aberdeen), it is absent from most parts of [[Scotland]]. | [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. Whilst there are 'pockets' (notably Edinburgh and Aberdeen), it is absent from most parts of [[Scotland]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
This species was formerly considered conspecific with [[Black-billed Magpie]] ''P. hudsonia.'' About 12 subspecies are recognized. [http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=69349&highlight=magpie This] is a thread discussing possible splits from this group of subspecies, with ''sericea'' and ''bottanensis'' the strongest contenders(?). | This species was formerly considered conspecific with [[Black-billed Magpie]] ''P. hudsonia.'' About 12 subspecies are recognized. [http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=69349&highlight=magpie This] is a thread discussing possible splits from this group of subspecies, with ''sericea'' and ''bottanensis'' the strongest contenders(?). | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Farmland and open country. Also town gardens and parks | + | Farmland and open country. Also town gardens and parks. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | Walks and will hop sideways | + | Walks and will hop sideways. |
====Flight==== | ====Flight==== | ||
| − | Quick, with deep, fast, even wing beats. Short glides | + | Quick, with deep, fast, even wing beats. Short glides. |
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | Builds a domed nest in tall trees, or hedgerows | + | Builds a domed nest in tall trees, or hedgerows which often contains shiny objects |
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
Harsh "chack, chack, chack". | Harsh "chack, chack, chack". | ||
Revision as of 15:52, 30 March 2009
- Pica pica
Identification
Black head, neck, breast and back. Prominent white side patches and belly
Wings and tail, whilst looking black in certain lights, are actually bluey-green and purple
Very long tail, diamond-shaped when spread out.
Distribution
Europe and Asia. Whilst there are 'pockets' (notably Edinburgh and Aberdeen), it is absent from most parts of Scotland.
Taxonomy
This species was formerly considered conspecific with Black-billed Magpie P. hudsonia. About 12 subspecies are recognized. This is a thread discussing possible splits from this group of subspecies, with sericea and bottanensis the strongest contenders(?).
Habitat
Farmland and open country. Also town gardens and parks.
Behaviour
Walks and will hop sideways.
Flight
Quick, with deep, fast, even wing beats. Short glides.
Breeding
Builds a domed nest in tall trees, or hedgerows which often contains shiny objects
Vocalisation
Harsh "chack, chack, chack".
- <flashmp3>Pica pica (song).mp3</flashmp3>
- Listen in an external program
References
- Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3
- Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
- Collins Field Guid 5th Edition
External Links
This link searches for "Common Magpie"
