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Description

Species Name: Australian Magpie

Species Latin Name: Gymnorhina tibicen

Native To: Australia and Southern New Guinea

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Weribee Park

Size (length): 37-43cm (14.6-16.9 inches)

Weight: 220-350g (7.8-12.4oz)

Wingspan: 65-85cm (25.6-33.5 inches)

Lifespan: 25-30 Years

Sub Species Names:

Black backed magpies:

Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen & Gymnorhina tibicen Terraereginae)

Top End Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen eylandtensis)

Long-billed Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen longirostris)

White backed Magpies (originally Gymnorhina hypoleuca)

Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen tyrannica & Gymnorhina tibicen telonocua)

The Western Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen dorsalis)

The New Guinean Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen papuana)

Description:

The Australian magpie is a medium sized bird that is recognised by the white and black pattern feathers that make up their plummage. They have a short broad light and dark gray beak. The species are sexually dimorphic and can the females and males can be identified mostly by the colour of the feathers on their back. The females will feature more muted grey feathers amongst the white back where as the males will feature pure white feathers along their back instead. Tese birds have long strong black legs and brown eyes.

Diet:

These birds are omnivorous and will eat a variety of animals/insects/scraps that are on the ground level. Some larger sized insects can be caught mid-air and some small animals such as mice, frogs, skinks can be preyed upon by these birds as well. These birds have been noted to eat grain, tubers, figs, and walnuts as part of their diet as well.

Behaviour:

These birds are perhaps the most highly regarded songbirds of Australia as they have a wide variety of calls, each one as complex as the other. Their songs is described as a series of warbles which can vary between four octaves in pitch. These birds are highly intelligent and have been noted to mimic over 35 species of native as well as introduced species as well as dogs, horses, and human speech to a limited degree. The warbling songs of a magpie can be done when they are alone or when in groups to vocalize a variety of messages including to ward of intruders or to warn of potential threats.

The other well known behaviour of these birds occur during mating/nesting season when the birds become extremely territorial of their nesting site. So aggressive these birds will become they will fly towards those they deem a potential threat in an action referred to as 'swooping'. These birds will even swoop humans at times, cyclists have been known to strap cable strip ties to attempt to prevent the birds from swooping at them as they ride their usual routes. These birds form strong monogamous pair bonds and have a long breeding season. The breeding season will last between June-September in Northern Australia, in the cooler Southern Australia the breeding season will not start until August or September.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australi…

Birdlife: www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profi…

Animalia: animalia.bio/australian-magpie

Australian Museum: australian.museum/learn/animal…

Description

Species Name: Australian Magpie

Species Latin Name: Gymnorhina tibicen

Native To: Australia and Southern New Guinea

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Weribee Park

Size (length): 37-43cm (14.6-16.9 inches)

Weight: 220-350g (7.8-12.4oz)

Wingspan: 65-85cm (25.6-33.5 inches)

Lifespan: 25-30 Years

Sub Species Names:

Black backed magpies:

Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen & Gymnorhina tibicen Terraereginae)

Top End Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen eylandtensis)

Long-billed Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen longirostris)

White backed Magpies (originally Gymnorhina hypoleuca)

Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen tyrannica & Gymnorhina tibicen telonocua)

The Western Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen dorsalis)

The New Guinean Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen papuana)

Description:

The Australian magpie is a medium sized bird that is recognised by the white and black pattern feathers that make up their plummage. They have a short broad light and dark gray beak. The species are sexually dimorphic and can the females and males can be identified mostly by the colour of the feathers on their back. The females will feature more muted grey feathers amongst the white back where as the males will feature pure white feathers along their back instead. Tese birds have long strong black legs and brown eyes.

Diet:

These birds are omnivorous and will eat a variety of animals/insects/scraps that are on the ground level. Some larger sized insects can be caught mid-air and some small animals such as mice, frogs, skinks can be preyed upon by these birds as well. These birds have been noted to eat grain, tubers, figs, and walnuts as part of their diet as well.

Behaviour:

These birds are perhaps the most highly regarded songbirds of Australia as they have a wide variety of calls, each one as complex as the other. Their songs is described as a series of warbles which can vary between four octaves in pitch. These birds are highly intelligent and have been noted to mimic over 35 species of native as well as introduced species as well as dogs, horses, and human speech to a limited degree. The warbling songs of a magpie can be done when they are alone or when in groups to vocalize a variety of messages including to ward of intruders or to warn of potential threats.

The other well known behaviour of these birds occur during mating/nesting season when the birds become extremely territorial of their nesting site. So aggressive these birds will become they will fly towards those they deem a potential threat in an action referred to as 'swooping'. These birds will even swoop humans at times, cyclists have been known to strap cable strip ties to attempt to prevent the birds from swooping at them as they ride their usual routes. These birds form strong monogamous pair bonds and have a long breeding season. The breeding season will last between June-September in Northern Australia, in the cooler Southern Australia the breeding season will not start until August or September.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australi…

Birdlife: www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profi…

Animalia: animalia.bio/australian-magpie

Australian Museum: australian.museum/learn/animal…