Magpie

Magpies are clever birds that belong to a group called the Corvidae family. They are very smart, almost as smart as some of the cleverest animals.

The Eurasian magpie can recognize itself in a mirror, which is rare for animals.

Most magpies live in cooler areas of Europe, Asia, and western North America. Some live in places like Tibet and high mountains in Kashmir. There are also magpie-like birds in East Asia and the Iberian Peninsula. The birds called magpies in Australia are different and not closely related.

Etymology

The word "magpie" has two parts: "mag" and "pie". "Mag" is a short form of the French name "Margot" or "Margaret". Long ago, this name was used for women who talked a lot, like magpies do. "Pie" might come from a word meaning "piebald" or "particoloured", describing the white patches on a magpie's feathers. It could also come from an old word meaning "sharp" or "pointed". The word pica for a human habit of eating non-food items comes from the Latin name of the magpie, pica.

Systematics and species

Magpies are a type of bird in a group called corvids. Some scientists think magpies might not all come from the same ancestor. There are two main kinds of magpies. One kind lives in northern areas and has black and white feathers. These magpies are close relatives of crows and jays. The other kind lives from southern to east Asia and has bright green or blue feathers.

There are many types of magpies. Some have blue and green feathers, while others have black and white feathers. Scientists are still learning more about whether some of these magpies should be considered different species or not.

False magpies

Some birds look like magpies but are not true magpies. The black magpies, called Platysmurus, are actually treepies. Treepies look similar to magpies but belong to a different group of birds.

The Australian magpie, with its black and white feathers, looks like a Eurasian magpie but is part of the Artamidae family, not the corvid family. Another group, the magpie-robins, also have black and white feathers but are Old World flycatchers and not related to corvids.

Human interactions

Cultural references

See also: Eurasian magpie § Relationship with humans, and Black-billed magpie § Relationship with humans

The magpie is the official bird of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

In East Asian cultures, the magpie is a popular bird. It is a symbol of good luck. It appears in Chinese paintings and poetry. In Chinese stories, magpies fly to make a bridge for two famous stars, showing special relationships.

The magpie is also a national bird of Korea and a symbol of its capital, Seoul.

In Europe, magpies like to collect shiny objects. An opera called The Thieving Magpie tells this story. Magpies are curious but careful with new things.

As pests

Magpies can sometimes cause trouble in orchards.

In culture

Magpies are the National bird of Bangladesh.

In England, people have different thoughts about magpies and good or bad luck. This is shown in a well-known nursery rhyme called "One for Sorrow":

One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told.

An English writer named John Brand wrote about this idea in a book in 1780, and it later became part of what we call folklore.

In sports, some teams that wear black and white striped shirts are called the magpies, like Newcastle United and Notts County from England.