Australian Magpie: how to recognise it
A bird of Oceania. Learn the marks that make it easy to identify, then practise with real photographs in Lore.
Practise with real photosAll species guides
Photo © owlet97 · CC BY-NC · iNaturalist · all photo credits
- Scientific name
- Gymnorhina tibicen
- Family
- Woodswallows, Butcherbirds, and Currawongs
- Size
- About 36–44 cm
- Habitat
- Open woodland, farmland, parks and gardens
- Found in
- Oceania
The key marks
A black-and-white bird with a strong, pointed grey bill and red-brown eyes. The back is white in males over much of Australia and greyer in females.
Voice
A rich, flute-like carolling, one of Australia’s best-known bird songs.
Good to know
In spring some males swoop at walkers and cyclists near the nest, and magpies can learn to recognise individual human faces.
Where and when
You can expect to find it in open woodland, farmland, parks and gardens. It is especially common in Australia. Distribution changes with the seasons and from year to year, so check a recent local observation source before you go looking.