Conservation status: Green
With its noisy chattering, black-and-white plumage and long tail, there is nothing else quite like the magpie in the UK. When seen close-up its black plumage takes on an altogether more colourful hue with a purplish-blue iridescent sheen to the wing feathers, and a green gloss to the tail. Magpies seem to be jacks of all trades - scavengers, predators and pest-destroyers, their challenging, almost arrogant attitude has won them few friends. Non-breeding birds will gather together in flocks.
Latin name
Pica pica
Family
Crows and allies (Corvidae)
Where to see them
Found across England, Wales and N Ireland, but more localised in Scotland, absent from the Highlands. Seen in a range of habitats from lowland farmland to upland moors.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Omnivore and scavenger.
Population
| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* | | - | 650,000 territories | - | - |