The world around us for children 5-8 years old “Wintering birds”. Magpie
The magpie has many nicknames: the white-sided magpie, the chirping magpie, and even the thief magpie.
White-sided, because the feathers on the sides of the magpie are completely white. The head and wings are black. The tail is also black, but with a very beautiful greenish tint, long and straight, like an arrow.
The chirping magpie is called the chirping magpie because, flying from place to place, it chirps loudly: “Cha-cha-cha!” With a loud, alarming chirping, magpies warn forest inhabitants of danger.
It’s not for nothing that the magpie received the nickname “thief”, because she really loves everything bright and shiny. In a magpie's nest you can find pieces of metal wire, a shiny button, beads, and sometimes even a teaspoon.
The magpie is also called the “forest newspaper”, and about interesting news they say: “The magpie brought it on its tail.”
Magpie
I know every bush in the forest,
I carry the news on my tail.
Maybe it's me for this
And they call it “forest newspaper”?
Magpies love to build nests in willow thickets along the banks of forest rivers and streams, in young light and spacious pine forests, in clearings and on the edges. The magpie's nest, built from dry branches, is large and comfortable. Inside the nest is a bowl made of clay and covered with down, wool, straws and blades of grass. This structure is protected from the weather by a real roof: the magpies place branches and twigs at an angle, which form a dome.
Magpies are not lazy and build several nests at once, and then choose the best one from them. Five or eight rather large eggs soon appear in this nest, which the female incubates.
After three weeks, the eggs hatch and the little magpies squeak loudly, their bright red mouths opening wide. Parents feed their babies all day without a break.
Remember the rhyme about the magpie?
She cooked porridge and fed the children.
In fact, the white-sided magpie does not cook porridge for children. She feeds the chicks with caterpillars, midges, beetles and mosquitoes. In addition to insects, magpies peck at berries and fruits, plant seeds, and sometimes they can destroy someone else's nest or catch a small animal.
In the autumn, magpies gather in small flocks, fly around gardens and parks, and eat rowan, hawthorn and sea buckthorn berries.
Long-tailed rattles do not fly away from us to the southern regions. In winter, birds move closer to people - they fly to villages and settle in the outskirts of the city. Being around a person makes you feel more nourished and warmer.
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Signs associated with magpies
Photo of a magpie soaring in the sky
The image of a magpie is found in the cultures of many nations. For some, this bird represents happiness, wealth and success, for others it is a harbinger of bad news and trouble.
The magpie gained notoriety back in the days of Noah's Ark, when the bird did not fly onto the ship with all the other animals, but remained on the roof. The bird showed a complex character, not obeying other people's rules. The magpie is credited with negative qualities - a thief, a liar, a chatterbox. Many sayings are associated with this black and white bird.
Beautiful magpie among green grass
This is how gossipers are called “cracking like a magpie,” and when talking about where a person learned about some news, they say “a magpie brought it on its tail.”
Despite the numerous unpleasant characteristics, most of the signs associated with the appearance of these birds still have a positive context.
- A bird flew onto the balcony - a sign that does not bode well. The house will be calm, no scandals or quarrels.
- A magpie flew into the house and chirped - good news awaits the family.
- A magpie flew into the yard or settled in the garden - the owners will face financial difficulties.
- A magpie circling over the house is a sign that signifies the onset of a dark streak in life.
- A magpie sat on the window, it jumps and chirps - a person will find himself in the center of gossip and intrigue.
- Two magpies are sitting in front of the house - guests should be expected.
- A flock of magpies flying overhead foreshadows a wedding.
- It is a bad omen if a bird knocks on the window - it brought bad news, perhaps one of the relatives will die soon.
- The magpie knocked on the window and flew away - a sign promising that all adversity will bypass the house.
About the birds of Russia for primary schoolchildren. Magpie
The magpie is somewhat smaller in size than the crow. Its head, wings and tail are black, with a greenish tint, and its belly is white. The tail is long, stepped, and serves as a magpie's rudder and balance during sudden movements on the ground and in flight.
Magpies prefer forest edges, bushes in floodplains, groves, gardens, parks, and tree plantations along railroad tracks. They willingly settle in the neighborhood of humans, and where they are left undisturbed, they become unusually trusting and even intrusive.
At the end of February, before breeding, magpies behave noisily, chase each other, spread their tails like a fan, and dance. However, magpies do not fly very well, preferring to jump from place to place.
In March, magpies begin to build new nests or repair old ones. The nest of this bird is usually located in dense thickets at a height of 2-3 m from the ground. It is well hidden from prying eyes, made of large twigs on the outside and thinner twigs on the inside, intertwined with blades of grass and held together with clay. The tray is also cemented with clay and is a hard, deep bowl-bed for eggs, covered with moss, soft grass, and wool. The top and sides of the tray are covered with a layer of thorny twigs, which form a roof, giving the nest a spherical shape. The entrance to the nest is located on the side. This arrangement of the house protects the female sitting on the eggs, and subsequently the chicks, from the invasion of predators. Through the loose walls of the nest, the female can notice the danger in time. A false nest is built close to the real one, in which the male is located when the female sits on the eggs.
Magpies lay 7-8 green eggs dotted with brown spots. The parents carefully feed the chicks with insects, snails and worms. The attachment of parents to their cubs is extremely strong.
In autumn and especially in winter, magpies can often be found on the outskirts of cities and towns. They move gracefully along the ground in small steps, raising their tails and wagging their heads with each step. There are many figurative expressions about magpies that reflect one or another of its features. For example, the definition of “white-sided magpie” does not require explanation, but the epithet “thief” is associated with the fact that the magpie is partial to unfamiliar, especially shiny objects. There are known cases when magpies grabbed metal spoons, keys and other things and flew away with them to then hide them somewhere in a secluded place. It is also clear why they say “talkative like a magpie” or “jumps like a magpie.”
Magpies are unique providers of living space for other birds. Owls and small falcons (for example, falcon, kestrel) settle in empty nests of magpies, exterminating mouse-like rodents, as well as great tits and tree sparrows. By doing this, magpies indirectly contribute to the population of the area by useful birds.
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What do magpies eat?
Magpie flies with prey in its beak
Magpies feed on food of animal origin. They are indiscriminate in their food and feed on all the small animals that come their way. In spring, magpies feed on caterpillars, worms, and beetle larvae; in summer - all kinds of insects; In winter, magpies feed on food waste. When there is a shortage of food, birds eat cereal seeds, bread crumbs, sunflower seeds, and the fruits of various trees. Adult magpies sometimes hunt small rodents and lizards. They kill their victims with a blow from their powerful beak.
Magpies are known predators of other people's nests. Where the magpie family lives, other small birds usually do not live, since the magpies simply eat them. In spring and early summer, magpies plunder the nests of passerines and waterfowl. They feast on the eggs and chicks of sparrows, ducks, coots, quails and partridges.
Two magpies are eating on a tree branch
Magpies cause a lot of trouble to rural residents. In search of food, birds fly to farmyards and attack chickens and ducklings. Magpies often steal chicken eggs. It is extremely difficult to catch magpies stealing, since these birds behave only in cases where they are not in danger. Magpies steal eggs from the chicken coop while the chickens are feeding. In a few minutes, forty manages to crack a chicken egg and drink it right “at the crime scene.” Many farmers ask the question: “what to do if a magpie steals eggs?” Birds can be scared away from the yard by a stuffed animal in the form of a person or all kinds of rattles and scarecrows (magpies are afraid of noise).
Magpie is a smart bird. When full, she will not throw away the remaining food, but will hide it in a secluded place. In case of hunger, she will remember her reserves. The bird never forgets about its hiding places; its intelligence allows it to quickly find hidden food.
Magpies eat grains
At home, magpies eat leftover human food, chicken and beef, fish, vegetables and fruits. Magpie chicks feed on worm and beetle larvae, small caterpillars, flies and grasshoppers.
Why was the bird called magpie?
Magpie on an iron fence
Magpie was named so for the sounds this bird makes. In the ancient Slavic dictionary, the word “welding” was used to define this bird, a derivative of “sverchati” - that is, “cricket” or “cricket”. As you know, the magpie makes a characteristic chirping sound - “chirping”.
A story about a magpie
You can write an essay about a magpie for schoolchildren yourself using the given options.
A story about a magpie for children
The magpie has a nickname - white-sided. The feathers on her sides are white, and her head, wings and tail are black, like a raven. The magpie's tail is very beautiful - long, straight, like an arrow. The feathers on it are not just black, but with a beautiful greenish tint.
The magpie cannot be confused with any other bird. In nature, a magpie can be unmistakably identified by its voice with the typical sound “cha, cha, cha.” Everyone knows her habit of stealing and hiding shiny objects. The magpie usually lives in an open area with many trees and bushes. She avoids the dense forest.
Its nest is characteristic and unique - large, covered on top with a prickly roof. It is built from dry branches covered with a layer of clay and mud, and behind it is a tray of roots, stems, leaves and wool. The nest is most often located high from the ground in the crown of a tree, and if there are few trees, lower, in the bushes. As a rule, magpies build several nests, and then choose one in which to nest.
In April or May, 5-8 eggs appear in it. The female incubates them herself for about two weeks. The male begins to help her after the birth of the offspring - they are very voracious. A month after birth, the chicks fly out of the nest and stay close to it.
Magpies usually do not form flocks or groups; they prefer to stay in pairs, and after nesting - in families, but only for a certain time. In places where there are many magpies, in the fall they unite in flocks and roam together. The magpie leads a sedentary lifestyle: neither in autumn nor in winter does it move far from the nest. By winter, most magpies, along with crows and jackdaws, fly to the villages and look for food.
The food for forty is varied. While feeding its chicks, the magpie not only devours small mammals, insects, caterpillars and various other small animals, but also destroys the nests of other birds. In addition, she willingly eats various berries, fruits, and grains.
The magpie is widespread in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America, where the yellow-billed magpie also lives with it. The blue magpie is found on the Iberian Peninsula.
A story about a magpie in a scientific style
Magpies live in small forests, parks, gardens, groves, copses, often not far from human habitation.
Thanks to its characteristic black and white plumage and unusually long tail, the magpie is unique and easily recognizable. The head, neck, chest and back are black with a purple or bluish-green metallic tint, the belly and shoulders are white. The tips of the wings are also often white. The long tail and wings are black.
The black plumage has a metallic sheen. The tail feathers and the outer side of the flight feathers sparkle up close, depending on the lighting, with a metallic green, blue or purple color. In spring, the colors become weaker and less defined. At the ends of the wings they almost completely disappear. The most difficult time to determine color is at the beginning of summer, in particular in males, some time after molting. Males and females do not differ in appearance from each other, although males are slightly heavier - on average 233 g, and females - on average 203 g. Magpies can reach a length of approximately 51 cm, with a wingspan of about 90 cm.
Young magpies are colored the same as older ones, the differences are very slight: the tail is dull and shorter, the outer shoulder feathers are often not pure white but a gray shade, the white areas on the inside of the wings are not the same as on the outside as in adult magpies. There is a blue sheen only in the middle area of the wings. The poorest wing almost always carries a white spot, sometimes also the second or third next feather.
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Magpie at home
A man holds a magpie in his hand and feeds it.
A wild bird like a magpie can become a pet. These birds quickly get used to humans and adapt to the surrounding conditions. Fed by humans, adult magpies recognize their owner by sight, become tame, feed from hands and do not fly away from him for long.
Magpie chicks at home
You can only tame a magpie that fell into human hands as a chick. Magpie cubs are easy to feed, as these birds are omnivores. Homemade food is suitable as food - fish and meat, bread, fruits and vegetables, berries and nuts. In order not to harm the fragile body, it is better to give food raw, without using any spices. Two-week-old chicks eat up to ten times a day, menstruation - three to four times. You need to feed the magpie in small pieces. Sometimes you can give cottage cheese and eggs. It is strictly forbidden to give poultry pork and white bread. Poultry needs vitamins, especially in the autumn-winter period.
An impudent magpie tries to steal food from a child
Magpies love to take a bath - by bathing, the birds cleanse their feathers and skin of parasites. This must be remembered when arranging an enclosure or cage for your pet. By the way, many magpie keepers do not limit the life of birds to a cage and allow their pets to move freely around the house. However, according to the observations of zoologists, the bird feels more comfortable in a cage and behaves calmer than when it lives in an open space.
A story about forty children
Compared to other birds, the magpie stands out sharply with its bright white sides and very long tail.
The magpie is a popular character in folk tales and poems for children. Because of its white sides, it is called the white-sided magpie. As for the long tail, one of the legends says that the magpie got a long tail as a punishment for its talkativeness. The king of birds, the eagle, did not like the magpie’s long tongue, so he forced it to drag its long tail behind it. But this, of course, is a fairy-tale version of the origin of the magpie's tail. In fact, the magpie needs a long tail to balance its body, both during flight and when walking on the ground.
Magpies are quite large birds. The length of an adult individual can reach half a meter, and the wingspan is almost a meter. The plumage of magpies is bluish-black, with a metallic tint, and the sides are white. Magpies live in different countries and on different continents. They are also found in North America, Europe and even North Africa. And in our country this bird is found in many places.
Magpies are not particularly picky when choosing a place to live. They can settle in the forest, or they can look for a convenient place in the city, in close proximity to people. The character of these birds is quite scandalous and they behave very noisily. If magpies have settled in your yard, then, for sure, in the summer the whole house wakes up to their noisy chirping. For some reason, magpies are quiet in winter.
Another feature of magpies that people have noticed is a craving for bright objects. They drag various shiny little things into their nests and can even climb into a person’s home through an open window and cheekily rummage through things in search of objects of interest to them. Writers have repeatedly used this funny habit of magpies in their works, and the Italian composer Rossini wrote an opera called “The Thieving Magpie.”
Magpies make their nests in tall trees. Outwardly, these structures seem to be an absurd pile of branches of various sizes, but inside the nest everything is arranged quite conveniently - all the uneven spots between the branches are filled with earth and clay, and fluff and shreds of fur of various animals are laid on top. While hatching chicks, the magpies' character becomes quiet, the birds try not to attract attention to themselves. During this period, the female sits in the nest all day long, and the male gets food for her.
With the advent of chicks, magpies again become noisy and aggressive, attacking anyone who encroaches on their children. At such times, they can even attack a person approaching the nest. When the chicks grow up, they get out into the wild in a rather interesting way - they destroy the roof of the nest.
For some time, the magpie family wanders together around the surrounding area in search of food for the chicks. On the ground, magpies either walk or jump funny, like little children. But the chicks grow up enough that they begin to get their own food, after which they leave their parents and begin adult life.
Text author: Lev Poyasnikin
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Lifestyle
Magpie near the feeder
Magpies prefer to live separately from their relatives. Sometimes the birds gather in groups of 6-8 birds, but this does not last long - until the young animals mature up to a year and separate from the family. The rest of the time, magpies live in pairs. Bird nests are placed at a distance of 100-300 meters from each other. Such close proximity allows birds to promptly warn each other about danger.
Lonely magpie on a branch
Magpies move across the surface not in steps, but in jumps. They jump on both legs at once. When moving, the bird's tail is raised up. The birds take off from their place. The flight of the magpie is smooth and maneuverable. During the flight, the bird opens its wings, straightens its tail, points its head forward, and bends its paws. In the air, the bird prefers to glide; its flight speed is 35-40 kilometers per hour.
It is known that magpies are cunning, dexterous and agile birds. If there is not enough food, then the birds look for food in vegetable gardens and farmyards.
Photo of a magpie high on a tree
Birds can easily outwit a pet and steal something edible from its bowl. Sometimes birds forage for food in groups of 2-3 birds. While two magpies are distracting a chicken or a dog, the third one is feeding. Then the roles change.
Magpies are curious, but at the same time cautious, prudent birds. It has been noticed that these birds are able to build logical chains, remember information, and easily avoid traps. Birds do not openly steal: they first make sure that nothing threatens them, and only then they grab the thing or food they like and immediately fly away.
Pensive Magpie
Magpies are known for their passion for shiny things. These birds drag candy wrappers, sparkles, pebbles and glass sparkling in the sun into the nest. Ornithologists cannot say what motivates these birds in such collecting. But one thing is clear: the magpie’s ability to collect everything shiny formed the basis for the phrase “like a magpie,” that is, “a person who loves everything shiny - like a magpie.” True, experiments in recent years have made it possible to doubt that the magpie deliberately chooses only shiny objects. Researchers say that if a magpie is offered a choice of things, including one that is shiny, the bird will not always choose that one.
Reproduction
Female and male magpies
At the end of February, magpies begin their breeding season. Magpies gather at old nests and begin repairs. If the nest is severely destroyed, the magpies build a new one, but in a different place.
Nest
In the photo - magpies make nests
Magpies make nests on thin trees or bushes at a height of 3-6 meters on the ground. Despite the fact that the bird's nest seems accessible, predatory animals cannot reach it due to the fragile support on which the magpie's house rests.
A magpie's nest is a complex architectural structure. Unlike the nests of other birds, the magpie's has a roof. From a distance, the dwelling looks like a large ball assembled from dry branches. The frame of a magpie's nest is built from strong rods intertwined with each other. The roof of the bird is made from thin and flexible branches.
Photo of magpie eggs in a nest
The entrance is located in the side wall. The bottom of the bird's nest is smeared with clay or damp earth - such material will make the home even stronger. On top of the dried earthen floor there is a layer of leaves, thin young branches and roots. The female lays eggs on top of the woody layer.
Magpie chicks
Small magpie chicks
The female magpie lays 6-8 eggs. Magpie eggs look small, the shell is greenish with a brown spot. Incubation is done exclusively by the female. After 18-20 days, tiny naked chicks are born. Both parents are involved in heating and feeding the young. Adult birds take turns bringing worms and caterpillars to the hungry chicks. In the first days of life, the cubs have an increased appetite, so the chicks constantly demand food, squealing around the area. By the age of one month, the chicks have grown enough to look for food on their own. At this time, the magpies already master the technique of flight, but continue to stay close to their parents for at least another two months. By the following spring, the young birds separate from their parents and start a family.
Read about magpie
Whoever the magpie sees, it chirps.
What's wrong is that it's right there.
If a bird notices a nest, it will peck at the eggs and eat the flightless chicks.
And the beast has a hard time with the magpie: the magpie does not allow it to hide from its enemies. Tells everyone where everyone is hiding. Shouts:
The beast is hiding from the magpie. And forty is not a step away from him. Where he goes, so goes she.
He is across the field - a magpie is chirping above him:
That's what she is, a magpie!
A black grouse walks around the clearing, taking care of the chickens.
And they are swarming around, looking for food. We haven’t learned to fly yet, we haven’t grown up yet.
Whoever is bigger will offend them.
The magpie thief saw his prey. She hides, jumps closer, closer.
Kwoh! - the grouse shouted. - The enemy is close!
The magpie looks and looks, but doesn’t see a single chicken. There is no one! No one to grab! No one to swallow!
She got angry: “H-how is this so! How come!"
Then a black grouse flew at her and drove her away.
The magpie flew away from the grouse and cleaned itself. And he looks again and listens.
Isn't anyone coming? Is there food somewhere? Is it possible to take something away from someone?
The bear barks. The bears don't listen to her. They are playing around. One hits the puddle with his paws - splashes fly. Mishka likes it.
Another climbed onto the viburnum, swinging as if on a swing.
The magpie is right there and shouts:
Immediately the bear fell silent.
And the bears were scared. They are stupid, but they understand: while the bear was growling and grumbling, there was no enemy. It was possible to indulge. If she fell silent, that means she had to hide.
The bear came out of the puddle, the bear came out of the Kalinka, and they galloped into the thicket, where it was denser, until the magpie got rid of them.
The she-wolf brought food to the wolf cubs. Everyone pulled food towards themselves. They grumble and growl.
And the magpie from above will shout:
The wolves scatter in all directions. But the she-wolf doesn’t hide from the magpie. A magpie chirps above her; The magpie doesn’t understand that the she-wolf isn’t hiding on purpose. He takes her away from the wolf cubs.
Meanwhile, the wolf cubs returned, ate the prey, and left nothing for the magpie.
The lynx crawls towards the partridges. But they peck, feed, and don’t notice anything.
A magpie flew to them. She wonders what these chickens are pecking.
Someone moved in the bushes. A magpie flew up to the tree and saw an animal sneaking up on the partridges.
“I see! I see you! Here he is!
The chickens heard and took wing. The lynx jumped, but didn’t grab anyone.
The dog senses a goat's trail and wants to find and catch the goats. And the magpie is right there, chirping: “Here he is!” Here he is!"
The wild goats heard the magpie - and off they went! The dog chased them but didn’t catch up.
And the magpie listens again, looks out to see if there is any food or prey somewhere?
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What are male magpies called?
A male magpie has found food for himself.
Like most wild birds, the “magpie” has a single name without distinguishing between female and male. Therefore, to indicate gender in Russian, the phrases “female magpie” and “male magpie” are used.
The magpie chick is called “magpie”, and in the plural – “magpie”.
Habits and behavioral characteristics
Any change in the environment can lead to increased caution on the part of the magpie. We can say what magpies do when they notice danger. At such moments, the bird begins to scream loudly, which warns its relatives of impending trouble.
The behavior of this bird in the nest and in flight is relatively calm, and when it gets into potential trouble, it makes sounds that may resemble chirping and squeaking.
If a magpie sits on a branch, it characteristically twitches its tail. This behavioral reaction is unusual for other birds.
If we compare the magpie with other representatives of the raven family, then it has a fairly mobile and active way of life. A bird of this type rarely stands in one place for a long time. Almost always she jumps from branch to branch, looks into other people's nests and flies vast distances in search of delicacies.
The magpie avoids close contact with people. When the first frost occurs, these birds make mass migrations to city gardens and parks, and they make only single flights to the forest park area.
Magpies are capable of onomatopoeia
The magpie's voice is sharp and sonorous. Their call is in the form of a loud chirping sound. At the same time, chirping, various third-party sounds and even screeching are woven into the song.
Magpies that are raised by humans are distinguished by their importunity and gullibility. Such a smart bird is quite sociable. Scientists described a case in which a large macaw parrot could not begin to speak for several months until its cage was placed next to the cage of a tame magpie, which did not stop talking day after day. At first, the macaw began to imitate the chattering magpie, and then he uttered individual words, while learning new ones and calling his own master’s children by names.
Social structure and reproduction
Photo: Magpie on a branch
Magpies are distinguished by the fact that they are often devoted to their chosen one. They choose their companion in the first year of life. For them, this is a responsible decision, because as a pair they will build a nest and feed the chicks in all subsequent years.
In spring, magpies choose a secluded place in a bush or high in a tree. If there are houses inhabited by people nearby, then magpies choose a nesting site as high as possible, fearing encroachment. Magpies begin to mate with a partner only in the second year of life.
Magpies typically lay about seven or eight eggs. Egg laying occurs in mid-April. Their eggs are light blue-green with speckles and are of medium size, up to 4 cm in length. The female incubates the eggs. For 18 days, she warms the future chicks with her warmth. The chicks are born naked and blind. Once they hatch, the parents share caregiving responsibilities equally. That is, both the female and the male take care of the chicks. They spend all their time searching for and delivering food to their offspring.
This lasts for about a month, and around day 25 the chicks begin to try to fly out of the nest. But attempts to fly independently do not mean that they will begin an independent life so quickly. They stay with their parents until the fall, and sometimes for a whole year. For a long time, they intercept food from their parents, although physically they are already quite capable of getting it themselves.
It happens that magpies' nests are destroyed by predators. In such cases, magpies can build a nest again or complete an abandoned one, and then lay eggs again. But they will do this more efficiently. Sometimes entire groups of magpies are observed laying eggs in June. Probably, for some reason, their previous spring attempt to reproduce was unsuccessful.
General description of the bird
The description of the magpie says that this group of birds belongs to the raven family along with 9 other genera.
Depending on how the light falls, a magpie's plumage may appear different. Such a bird shimmers with purple, blue and green tints, but after the spring molt these tones are lost. This can be especially noticeable in males. At the end of spring, such an overflow is difficult to notice.
The body size of the common magpie reaches almost 0.5 meters. The wingspan reaches up to 90 centimeters.
The magpie's tail is longer than the body itself and has a stepped shape.
The magpie's gait is special, although on the ground this bird moves in leaps and bounds. On the crown of trees, such birds move by jumping, and they do this quite quickly and dexterously. When a magpie flies in the air, you can notice that its flight is wavy.
Varieties
There are 9 genera of magpies, and not all of them are genetically related. The closest relatives are crows and jays.
Blue (gray)
The bird is also known as Cyanopica cyana. Its main distribution area covers the Iberian Peninsula and the eastern part of Asia. The blue magpie has a medium-sized body (length - up to 36 cm), in this way it is similar to an ordinary one, but the beak and legs are shorter. The bird's belly is colored in various shades of brown, from beige to gray-brown. The back is always dark; on the wings the brown color harmoniously turns into blue. The throat is decorated with a white “tie”, the head is decorated with a cap of jet-black feathers with a metallic sheen.
Prefers open landscapes (pastures, meadows), but also inhabits evergreen forests and oak groves. However, due to high competition with other birds, it is sometimes forced to move closer to the border of its range, populating olive groves, parks, and gardens.
Lifestyle Features:
- Very social. Prefers to live in colonies of 3-8 pairs.
- It makes nests in trees using branches, moss, and dry leaves.
- It feeds on acorns, seeds, insects, invertebrates, and fruits. In times of famine - carrion.
Known as the "gray magpie".
The gray or blue magpie is a beautiful bird that can be found in the forests of East Asia.
Green
Also called azure Chinese magpie or green cissus. A very beautiful bird, the color of which is dominated by rich light green tones.
The wings of the cissus are no less beautiful: deep red, the scarlet neck is decorated with a black rim running from the back of the head to the eyes.
Note! It is the cissa that has the longest tail in the magpie world.
Found in Thailand, India, Borneo and Sumatra.
Black, black and white
If the black and white magpie is the common magpie known to many, the most popular in Russia, then the black one is an exotic bird, and therefore very interesting.
It is found in Central Africa, preferring open palm forests. Body length is up to 40 cm, distinctive characteristic is black plumage. It feeds on insects, carrion, and small rodents.
Note! Representatives of the black variety do not hesitate to catch parasites on the skin of cattle.
Australian
The second name is Australian oystercatcher. It is found exclusively in Australia and Tasmania; some individuals are found in Indonesia.
Black body, pink legs, deep red beak - this is what the Australian magpie looks like. It is larger than other representatives of the species; an adult male weighs about 900 grams.
Blue-billed Thick-billed
It is found exclusively in Taiwan and is its symbol. Prefers mountainous areas, similar in appearance to ordinary ones. Birds live in small colonies and are omnivorous.
Picture 4 - The thick-billed Taiwanese azure magpie looks like a fabulous firebird, but residents of Russia can only admire it in the zoo.
