Identification
Length: 46 cm.

One of the most distinctive and easily recognised birds in Europe, due to its very long graduated tail and black and white colouration. The purple-blue gloss on body feathers and green gloss on the tail are only apparent when seen at close quarters. The youngsters are duller than the adults and has a much shorter tail.
Their flight is weaker than that of other crows and appears unbalanced due to the long tail. On the ground they hop or walk sideways. They are usually seen in small flocks, except at roosts and in spring when it gathers in greater numbers.

Call
The usual call is a rapid 'chat-chat-chat-chat'.

Reproduction
Breeding starts from early April. The nest is a bulky cup of sticks, mud, plant fibre and hair. An open dome of twigs, leaving an opening at the edge of the cup, is usually present. Both male and female build the nest, which is situated in bushes or trees or rarely on buildings.
They lay five to eight eggs, rarely up to ten. They are a bluish greenish or buff colour, heavily spotted with olive brown and grey. The female alone incubates for seventeen or eighteen days. Both parents tend the young.

Habitat
The Magpie loves areas with scattered trees and scrub, including cultivated land and suburban areas.

Natural Food
The mainly eat insects, but also small mammals, birds (and their eggs and young), worms molluscs and vegetable matter, such as nuts.

Where to Feed
Ground Feed - Scatter food in the open
Table Feeder - Open topped

Suitable Wild Bird Food from the Shop
Ark Wild Bird XTRA
Ark 'No Grow' Scatter Food
Ark 'No Grow' Scatter XTRA
Ark 'All-Purpose' Mix
Ark Songbird Softbill
Ark Songbird Softbill with Insects
Live Food
Fat Balls
Suet Blocks
Peanuts

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