Magpie

Pica pica

Interesting facts: The magpie is unmistakable with its black-white plumage and shiny metallic play of colours. Even today it is said that it steals and hides shiny objects, like jewellery. But rather it hides its food in the ground in winter. Earlier, the species lived in open landscapes. Today, it has adjusted to our urban conditions.

Characteristics: Highly contrasting black-white plumage, often shiny, metallic green-blue; head, neck and breast black, abdomen white; tail longer than the body, with the end clearly wedge-shaped

Body length: Longer than 30 cm (longer than a blackbird)

Distribution: Open and semi-open cultured landscapes with hedges, copses, parks and gardens with large numbers of trees, and in towns