The Eurasian Magpie, Pica pica, is closely related to its North America cousin, the Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia). Some taxonomies consider the two to be the same species. Alternate names for the Eurasian Magpie include Common Magpie and European Magpie.
Eurasian Magpies live in parts of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. They are not migratory.
The Eurasian Mapgie has a pied, or black-and-white, plumage, including a long black tail. Feathers on the tail and wings are a pretty iridescent which shines bronze, blue or green in different light.
Around the world, birds are often seen as symbols of new beginnings, hope, and good fortune. As people celebrate the New Year, several cultures associate specific birds with prosperity, renewal, and happiness. Here’s a look at some birds that herald the New Year in different traditions. Read more »
Today, March 14, is traditionally celebrated as Pi Day -- because when the date is written 3/14, it represents the first three significant numbers of Pi. Pie day may be celebrated by eating pie, but since we like birds,... Read more »
This Saturday, March 14th, is Pi Day! This year Pi Day has an extra significance on 3/14/15 at 9:26:53 a.m. and p.m., with the date and time representing the first 10 digits of the digit π. This only happens every one hundred years, so celebrate this very special... Read more »
Scientists at the Goethe University in Frankfurt have been studying European Magpies to prove that these smart birds are not bird-brained. It is widely accepted that self-awareness is a prerequisite for the development of consciousness. Besides humans, there had already been evidence that bottlenose dolphins, other apes... Read more »
