Eurasian Magpie Pica pica
Overview
Description
The Eurasian magpie or common magpie (Pica pica) is a resident breeding bird throughout the northern part of the Eurasian continent. It is one of several birds in the crow family (corvids) designated magpies, and belongs to the Holarctic radiation of "monochrome" magpies. In Europe, "magpie" is used by English speakers as a synonym for the Eurasian magpie: the only other magpie in Europe is the Iberian magpie (Cyanopica cooki), which is limited to the Iberian Peninsula. Despite having a shared name and similar colouration, it is not closely related to the Australian magpie. The Eurasian magpie is one of the most intelligent birds. The expansion of its nidopallium is approximately the same in its relative size as the brain of chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and humans. It is the only non-mammalian species known to pass the mirror test.1
Taxonomy
Passeriformes > Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies) > Jays, Magpies, Crows, and Ravens
Subspecies Seen: Eurasian Magpie (Eurasian)
Sightings
Relevant Sightings
- 01-26-2025 - Noord-Holland, Netherlands (First Sighting / Only Photo)
- 02-15-2025 - Flevoland, Netherlands (Last Sighting)
Places Seen
- Flevoland, Netherlands
- Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Media
Photographs
Audio Recordings
No audio recordings available.