Magpie

Magpies are clever birds that belong to a group called the Corvidae family. They are known for being very smart, almost as smart as some of the cleverest animals in the world. For example, the Eurasian magpie can recognize itself in a mirror, which is something only a few animals can do.

These birds can also make and use tools, copy sounds, feel sadness, play games, and work together. In the past, people liked to keep magpies in cages because of their beautiful songs.

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, but the birds called magpies in Australia are different from these and are not closely related.

Etymology

The word "magpie" comes from 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, much like magpies chat and make noise. "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, because people thought magpies would eat many different things.

Systematics and species

Magpies are part of a group of birds called corvids. Some studies show that magpies might not all come from one common ancestor. There are two main groups of magpies. One group includes birds found across northern areas, with black and white feathers, and they are closely related to crows and jays. The other group has magpies from southern to east Asia, with bright green or blue feathers.

There are different types of magpies. Some have blue and green feathers and belong to certain groups, while others have black and white feathers and are part of another group. Scientists are still studying whether some of these magpies should be considered separate 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 was named the official bird of the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in May 2025.

In East Asian cultures, the magpie is a very popular bird and is a symbol of good luck and fortune. It is a common subject in Chinese paintings and poetry. In Chinese folklore, magpies fly to form a bridge where two famous stars meet, symbolizing special relationships.

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

In Europe, magpies are known for collecting shiny objects like rings. A famous opera called The Thieving Magpie tells this story. Studies show that magpies are curious but are careful with new things.

As pests

Magpies can sometimes cause trouble in orchards in some parts of the world.

In culture

Magpies are the National bird of Bangladesh.

In England, people used to think magpies brought either good or bad luck, depending on how many you saw. A well-known nursery rhyme, called "One for Sorrow", describes this idea:

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.