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European Magpie

Pica pica

Photo by LauraMaria
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

A black and white member of the crow family. It's wings have a slight bluish tint and its tail is greenish. Magpies are regarded as one of the most intelligent animals in the world, and are one of the few species that can recognise their own reflection in a mirror.

Notes:

In the UK, there is a superstition that if you see a magpie on its own, it's bad luck. So you have to say "Hello Mr Magpie, how's your wife!" and salute it. This comes from a rhyme that goes: 1 for sorrow, 2 for joy, 3 for a girl, 4 for a boy, 6 for silver, 7 for gold, 8 for a secret never to be told. I said hello to him as I was taking the photo, maybe that's why he's looking my way!

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (11)
LauraMaria
Thanks Luc :) And it's very interesting to learn about the birds also called magpie in other parts of the world!
LucBertrand
Cool superstition surrounding this magpie:)) Hhahahaha I hope that he does was not alone:)) Nice picture, too, this bird is super nice.
Wild Things
Even robin magpie is common i india near farm lands.
Ashish
Indian Magpie- Copsychus saularis (Oriental Magpie Robin) semi urbanized bird.
Ashish
In India Magpie female is dark brown and male is black with white(both male and female) stripes on wings and white belly. I see either male or female wandering in garden, as both comes together changes location.
LauraMaria
Yeah, this magpie I know lives in Asia too, but only northern regions. Doesn't reach as far south as India :) That's the confusing thing about common names - the same ones get used for different but slightly similar things!
DanielePralong
Ashish, I think that the dayal is not Pica pica but Copsychus saularis. The European magpie does not imitate other birds.
Ashish
Yes Laura I am also surprised with Deshu's comment. We called it Dayal in India, very common bird in India like Myna. Magpie has great mimic sense of making voice of various birds.
LauraMaria
Thanks! Haha, it's strange to think it's the first time someone might have seen one, since I see these birds everyday!
Darvesh
wow, have seen for the first time :-)

Spotted for Missions

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Birds of the World
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Birds of Britain

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Photographed
PublishedMay 13, 2011

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