Magpie: characteristics, origins of the name, and can it be trained?

A close relative of the crow, the magpie is a bird An omnivorous bird with a particularly slender appearance. Its beautiful tail is very long, and its plumage ranges from black to white, through shades of purple, green, and bluish. It is considered a thief because it apparently has the instinct to steal shiny objects. Let's explore its main characteristics and whether it is possible to domesticate it.

Index of topics

Who is it

It belongs to the corvid family, the scientific name is Pica pica, and it is a bird with a rather harsh chatter.

The magpie is a highly intelligent and curious bird, with an elegant body adorned with distinctive black and white plumage. Its upper feathers are pure white, while its head, back, and wings are black with green and blue highlights, especially when exposed to light. Its tail is long and pointed, with a shape that distinguishes it from other birds of similar size. Its beak is relatively thin and slightly curved. A magpie's total length varies between 44 and 46 cm, with a wingspan of up to 52 cm. On average, it weighs between 220 and 300 grams. Males and females are similar in appearance, although females tend to be slightly smaller.

Origin of the name

It is called “thief magpie” because it is said to be attracted to shiny objects, which she tends to steal and hide. Not only that, however, it also steals other birds' eggs. Its reputation as a "thief" has been used in literature, folklore, and songs to represent the idea of opportunistic behavior or of an object being stolen without permission. One of the most famous operas in which it appears is Gioachino Rossini's masterpiece, entitled precisely “The Thieving Magpie”Composed in 1817, the opera tells the story of a young woman wrongly accused of theft, with a magpie playing a crucial role in the mystery. In this opera, the magpie is a symbol of misunderstanding and injustice, but also of chaos and comedy.

In many cultures, the Magpie is also associated with superstition. According to some popular beliefs, seeing a magpie brings good luck or bad luck, depending on the number of magpies seen together. For example, the saying "One magpie brings bad luck, two bring happiness" is common in some folk traditions.

Where it nests

The magpie lives in Europe, Asia and North-West Africa, and usually nests in historic houses parks, in the countryside, in woods, but also in less vegetated areas and even on individual trees. Here it creates characteristic domed nests, particularly large, weighing about 3 kg and with an internal diameter of around 20 cm.

The nests, which are built by magpie pairs, are divided into two parts: a cup made of small branches and blades of grass, and a covering of woven twigs.

What does he eat?

The magpie eats:

Invertebrates:such as insects, worms and spiders, which make up a significant part of its diet.
Small vertebrates:such as lizards, eggs of other birds and, in rare cases, small mammals.
Fruits and seeds:especially berries, apples and seeds, which are consumed mainly during the summer and autumn seasons.
Carrion:It also occasionally feeds on carcasses of dead animals.

Is it possible to tame a magpie?

In Italy the detention of the magpie by private citizens, unless authorised by the competent bodies, is prohibited because the animal belongs to the The fauna Native. Although specific regulations are the responsibility of each Italian region, there may be exceptions for hunters and in specific cases.

We also remind you that although the magpie is a highly adaptable bird, capable of living in captivity, it is still a wild animal. Therefore, let's respect its freedom. And in an emergency, we should intervene by rescuing it and contacting a Wildlife Recovery Center or the Provincial Police as soon as possible.

How long does a magpie's life last?

Magpies have an average lifespan 4-5 years in nature, also because cub mortality is quite high. Furthermore, in the wild, life expectancy is reduced because it's easier to run into predators or experience food shortages.

However, magpies potentially they can live much longer, even reaching 20 years of age. Sexual maturity is reached around one year of age, but reproduction usually occurs no earlier than 2 years of age.

Where do magpies nest?

The magpie usually nests in historic houses parks, in the countryside, in woods, but also in less vegetated areas and even on individual trees. Here it creates characteristic domed nests, particularly large, weighing about 3 kg and with an internal diameter of around 20 cm.