Species Profile
Australian Magpie
Gymnorhina tibicen
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
20–25 years
Length
37–43 cm
Weight
220–350 g
Wingspan
65–85 cm
Migration
Resident
Also known as: Flute Bird, Piping Crow-shrike
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Appearance
The Australian Magpie is a striking bird with a robust build. It measures 37-43 cm in length and has predominantly black and white plumage, with a solid black head, throat, and upper breast contrasting sharply with its white nape, shoulders, and underparts.
Males typically have a pure white nape and back, while females often display grey feathering in these areas. Juveniles are duller, with grey-brown plumage that gradually transitions to adult colouration over their first three years.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Black
Female Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- Grey
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Black
Male Markings
White collar, white on wings and tail
Tail: Long and white-tipped
Female Markings
Females typically have grey napes and upper backs, distinguishing them from the all-black backs of males.
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Australian Magpies are widely distributed across Australia, from the tropical north to the temperate south, and have been introduced to New Zealand and the Solomon Islands. They thrive in open woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas.
These adaptable birds have also successfully colonised urban and suburban environments, becoming a common sight in parks, gardens, and sports fields. Their distribution remains relatively stable throughout the year, with no significant seasonal movements.
Distribution
Diet
Australian Magpies are omnivorous, eating primarily invertebrates such as insects, worms, and larvae. They forage on the ground, using their strong beaks to probe the soil. Occasionally, they supplement their diet with small vertebrates, seeds, and fruits.
Behaviour
Australian Magpies are highly social birds, often seen in small family groups or larger flocks. They are known for their bold and curious nature, frequently approaching humans in urban areas.
During the breeding season, some individuals become fiercely territorial, occasionally swooping at passersby to defend their nests.
Calls & Sounds
The Australian Magpie is renowned for its beautiful, flute-like carolling song, often described as one of the world's most complex bird calls. Their repertoire includes a variety of warbling, gurgling, and yodelling sounds, with regional variations across their range. The distinctive 'quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle' phrase is a common morning chorus.
Nesting & Breeding
Australian Magpies typically breed between August and October. Pairs are monogamous and often mate for life, defending their territory year-round.
Nests are constructed high in trees, usually 20-30 meters above ground. They are bowl-shaped structures of twigs, grass, and bark, lined with softer materials. Females lay 3-5 pale blue or green eggs with brown markings.
Incubation lasts about 20 days, and the female primarily carries out the process. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after about four weeks. Young birds may stay with their parents for up to a year, helping to raise the next brood.
Conservation
The Australian Magpie is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large range and stable population. However, urban development and climate change may impact local populations.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable habitats and managing human-wildlife conflicts in urban areas.
Population
Estimated: Not quantified, but common through its range
Trend: Increasing[2]
Population increasing with help from creation of more grassy habitats
Elevation
Sea level to 1,000 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 3.8cm x 2.7cm
- Predators:
- Main predators include large birds of prey such as eagles and hawks, as well as introduced mammals like foxes and cats, particularly for nestlings and fledglings.
- Alarm calls:
- Loud, harsh squawks
- Breeding age:
- 2
- Maturity age:
- 1
- Feeding times:
- Throughout the day
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, collision with vehicles
- Parental care:
- Female solely incubates, both parents care for chicks
- Primary calls:
- Rich and varied carolling
- Social habits:
- Live in groups of up to 24 individuals
- Egg appearance:
- Pale blue or green, speckled
- Feeding habits:
- Forages on the ground, often flipping over objects to find food
- Breeding season:
- June to March, but mainly August to December
- Diet variations:
- Will also eat seeds and fruit
- Fledging period:
- Around 4 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 25
- Call description:
- A beautiful, melodious song, often performed in groups
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, foraging on the ground for insects and small animals
- Nesting location:
- High in trees
- Number of broods:
- Usually one, but sometimes two
- Incubation period:
- Around 21 days
- Nest construction:
- Bowl-shaped nest made of sticks and lined with grass
- Migration patterns:
- Non-migratory
- Migratory patterns:
- Non-migratory, but young birds disperse locally
- Age related changes:
- Decrease in song complexity with age
- Prey capture method:
- Picks up with beak
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected in most of its range
- Territorial behavior:
- Defend their territory aggressively, particularly during breeding season
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, often returning to same nesting site each year
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 3-4 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Often dominant over other species
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for magpies in open grassy areas, including parks and sports fields.
- Listen for their distinctive carolling song, especially prominent at dawn and dusk.
- Observe from a distance during the breeding season (August to October) to avoid territorial behaviour.
- Watch for ground-foraging behaviour as they search for insects in short grass.
Did You Know?
- Australian Magpies can mimic human speech and other sounds in their environment.
- They have excellent facial recognition abilities and can remember individual human faces for years.
- Despite their name, Australian Magpies are more closely related to butcherbirds than to European magpies.
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