The Australian magpie is a black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea, and introduced to New Zealand, and the Fijian island of Taveuni. Although once considered to be three separate species, it is now considered to be one, with nine recognised subspecies. A member of the Artamidae, the Australian magpie is placed in its own genus Gymnorhina and is most closely related to the black butcherbird. It is not closely related to the Eurasian magpie, which is a corvid.
Region
Australasia
Typical Environment
Native to most of Australia and southern New Guinea, the Australian magpie also occurs in urban, agricultural, and open woodland habitats. It has been introduced to New Zealand and to Taveuni in Fiji, where it favors similar open areas. The species avoids dense closed forests and the most barren deserts, preferring mosaics of trees and open ground for foraging. It readily exploits lawns, sports fields, and road verges in towns and cities.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Australian magpie is a highly intelligent songbird famed for its rich, flute-like carolling and complex social structure. During breeding season, some individuals defend nests by swooping at perceived threats, including people. They thrive in human-modified landscapes such as parks and suburbs and can recognize individual human faces. Cooperative breeding and long-term territorial bonds are common within groups.
Adult with juvenileTaveuni, Fiji
Immature, with dark irises and less distinct plumage, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra
Female, subsp. tyrannica, in flight
Submissive juvenile
![The sculpture Big Swoop in central Canberra. It depicts one of the magpies that live in the city centre.[128]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Big_Swoop_December_2022.jpg/1280px-Big_Swoop_December_2022.jpg)
The sculpture Big Swoop in central Canberra. It depicts one of the magpies that live in the city centre.[128]
Temperament
social and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong, direct flight with steady wingbeats; occasional short soaring glides
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or stable family groups that hold year-round territories. Cooperative breeding occurs, with helpers assisting dominant pairs. Nests are bowl-shaped structures placed high in trees, and pairs often reuse territories over many years.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Rich, flute-like carols with melodious warbles and harmonies, often delivered in duets or choruses at dawn. Calls carry over long distances and include mimicry of other species and environmental sounds.
Plumage
Boldly contrasting black-and-white plumage with a glossy black head, breast, and upperparts offset by clean white patches; females often show greyer tones on the back.
Diet
Primarily ground-foraging for invertebrates such as beetles, larvae, spiders, and earthworms. Also takes small vertebrates including lizards and young birds when available. Supplements with seeds, grains, fruits, and occasionally human food scraps.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open grassy areas, lawn edges, sports fields, pastures, and parklands where probing and gleaning are effective. Often forages near tree cover that provides vantage points and nesting sites.
