Magpie Bird |
Magpie Bird Fun Facts About The Intelligent Bird
Magpie birds : You will be surprised to know that this bird is considered to be one of the most skilled songbirds in Australia. Not only this, this bird can mimic about 35 bird species as well as dogs and horses and if it lives with humans, it can also mimic human voices.
The interesting fact is that when these birds sing sweet songs, at that time these birds adopt a specific posture by bending their heads back, spreading their chests and rolling their wings backwards.
Apart from this, magpies sing sweet songs after sunset in winter and spring. You will be surprised to know that these birds play by forming their own team. They can pick up, manipulate, pull sticks, rocks and pieces of wire during their game. Not only this, they can hand them over to other birds.
Sometimes during their game, a bird flies by picking up a feather or leaf, other birds chase them and then try to bring them down by catching its tail. Apart from this, these birds can jump on each other and also engage in mock fights. If you like these behaviors of magpies, then read this article completely.
Where are magpie birds found
Magpie birds live throughout Europe, Asia, North America and Africa. Apart from this, this bird can also be seen in the southeastern part of the Asian islands and this bird is mostly found in temperate climate. When winter comes, some birds from the northern regions migrate south.
Apart from this, during the winter season, these birds can go to low altitude areas from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. But these birds do not go far from their nest and native place. Magpie birds are not migratory birds and at present the number of these birds is increasing but birds are killed in accidents on the roads and also die due to electric current on power wires.
Scientific name of Magpie bird
The scientific name of the Australian Magpie is Gymnorhina tibicen and the magpie is a solitary bird but it likes to form pairs. These birds form flocks during the breeding season and their flock is a collective noun for the group of these birds. This flock is made up of breeding pairs of magpie birds and their children.
A flock consists of about eight chicks and keeps them warm together during the cold season. Magpie birds live in flocks which provides protection from predators like eagles and owls. Apart from this, when a predator comes into their territory, a magpie flock works together to scare it away.
Habitat Of Magpie Bird
Magpie birds mostly prefer to live in grasslands, forest edges and near dense forests to stay safe from predators. These birds nest in vegetation which is mostly near water. Their habitat These birds prefer open spaces like fields with grasslands, residential areas like parks, gardens and roads where there are scattered trees and forests.
How Do Magpie Bird Look Like
Black-billed magpies have a set of monochrome feathers. Apart from these, their flight feathers appear bright blue and green. Apart from this, magpies appear white and black in appearance. The Eurasian species of magpie are similar in color to the black-billed magpie.
The magpie found in Australia also looks similar but unlike the other two species, it has white feathers on the back of its body. The eyes of these birds are small in size. Apart from this, they have pointed claws and there are 4 fingers on each of their paws, one of which is backwards. The tail of a magpie bird is equal to the length of its body. Hoatzin Bird Interesting Facts And Information With Pictures
Magpie Bird |
What Do Magpie Bird Eat
These birds eat grass, seeds, larvae and mice in their diet. Apart from this, these birds are known to snatch the eggs of other birds and the babies from the nests for their diet. Not only this, this bird is known as a hunter. These birds can also be seen chasing wild foxes or coyotes so that they can get food from the animals killed by them.
Magpies are known to eat other birds but the reason for this is not known. Not only this, this bird is constantly in search of birds or other animals for its delicious food. During the breeding season, the babies and eggs of birds are in abundance and they easily come there.
During some time of the year, magpies enjoy eating rotten meat or rotting flesh of dead creatures. Apart from this, other small birds and animals like sparrows and mice that can be caught are included in the food of magpie.
Magpie Bird Of Size And Weight
The length of Magpie bird is about 17-18 inches and this length is almost the same as the size of a crow but its tail is slightly longer than the tail of a crow due to which it appears slightly longer than a crow. The weight of Magpie bird is about 200-250 grams.
How Magpie Bird Communicate
Magpie birds make a variety of sounds like grunting etc. Apart from this, magpies sing tones like dawn and dusk to reclaim their territory.
How Fast Can A Magpie Bird Fly
Magpie birds can fly at a speed of 20 miles per hour or 32 km per hour in the air.
Magpie Bird Nests
In this bird species, birds perform to attract their mate. Male birds show their bright white feathers to attract the attention of the female bird. Magpie birds form a pair for their entire life. When one of these birds dies, there is no guarantee that the other can find a new partner.
These birds make a nest together in which both male and female birds are there. These birds use leaves, rope, feathers, vines and mud to make their nests. The nest of these birds is built about 30 feet above the ground and the nest has two openings out of which one is a shelter or roof which is made of wood.
6 to 9 eggs are laid by the female bird in the nest and the incubation period lasts from 16 to 21 days. The female bird takes care of the eggs while the male bird goes for hunting. The babies are taken care of by the parents and fed insects. The babies leave their nest when they are 25 days old.
How Many Magpie Bird Are There In The World
There are more than 5 million black-billed magpies in North America. But despite having such a population, these birds face the risk of farmers who consider these birds as pests. Magpies steal seeds from the fields to eat, due to which they are killed by farmers. On the other hand, their numbers are constantly decreasing due to the loss of their habitat.
The Javan Green Magpie population is declining due to the rapid deforestation in Africa. Not only this, these birds are traded by humans but there are about 19 minion pairs of Eurasian Magpie. The population of Australian Magpie is increasing but exact numbers are not available.
The overall conservation status of all subspecies of magpie is not considered extinct. The black-billed magpie has a conservation status of least concern. Apart from this, the Eurasian magpie is also considered to be of less concern. After this, the Australian magpie is also considered as a lesser concern and their numbers are increasing today. King Penguin Special Facts That Will Surprise You
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How Long Do Magpie Bird Live
The lifespan of a magpie bird is about 30 years. The lifespan of a black-beaked magpie in the wild is about 2-3.5 years. Apart from this, the lifespan of these birds is 3.5 years for a male bird and 2 years for a female bird.
But if these birds are kept as pets, then the lifespan of this bird can be up to 20 years. The fun fact is that a Eurasian magpie lived for 21 years and 8 months and is considered the oldest magpie in the world.
Behavior Of Magpie Bird
The behavior of all species of these birds is not considered dangerous, but when the magpie bird pounces, injuries can occur. Apart from this, these birds are kept as pets in America, Europe and Australia. But a wild magpie cannot be kept as a pet because these birds can be dangerous.
Magpie Bird Facts For Kids
1. Where are the magpie birds?
Magpies can be seen throughout Europe, Asia, North America and Africa. Apart from this, this bird can also be seen in the southeastern part of the Asian islands. Magpie birds are mostly found in temperate climates.
2. Why is the magpie called an intelligent bird?
Magpies are considered intelligent birds or clever birds because a long time ago this bird was the only bird in the whole world that knew how to make a nest.
3. How do magpies eat?
Magpie birds have grass, seeds, larvae and mice in their diet and this bird is also known to snatch children from the eggs and nests of other birds for its diet. Apart from this, this bird is known as a hunter.
4. How smart are magpie birds?
Magpies are a smart bird because they play by forming their own team. During their game, they can pick up, manipulate, pull and hand over sticks, rocks and pieces of wire to other birds.
5. Can magpies eat meat?
During certain times of the year magpies feed on carrion or decaying flesh from dead animals. Other small birds and animals such as sparrows and mice that can be caught are also part of their diet.
6. What is special about the magpie?
The magpie is an intelligent bird because it can mimic 35 species of birds as well as dogs and horses and if it lives with humans, it can also mimic human voices.
7. What color are magpies?
A set of monochrome feathers can be seen on the black-billed magpie and their flight feathers appear bright blue and green. Apart from this, magpies appear white and black in appearance.
8. What is the difference between a crow and a magpie bird?
The length of the magpie bird is almost the same as that of a crow but their tail is slightly longer than the crow's tail due to which it appears slightly longer than the crow. This magpie weighs about 200-250 grams.
9. What are magpies best known for?
The Eurasian Magpie is counted among the most intelligent birds in the world. Magpies are also one of the few non-mammalian species that can recognize themselves in a mirror test. They have also shown the ability to make and use tools, mimic human speech, mourn, play sports, and work in teams.
10. Why do people love magpies?
Not only are these birds talented singers, they are also excellent mimics. Perhaps one of their most famous characteristics is their beautiful, melodious song. Magpies are also capable of incredible mimicry.