Feather Identifier app iconFeather Identifier
Eurasian Magpie (also known as Common Magpie)
Primary flight feather, likely P8 or P9

Eurasian Magpie (also known as Common Magpie)

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Passeriformes, Family: Corvidae, Genus: Pica, Species: P. pica

Family: Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

Shape
Asymmetrical vane with a gently rounded to slightly pointed tip, characteristic of an outer wing flight feather adapted for agile maneuvering.
Size
Approximately 5 to 7 inches long, consistent with a medium-sized corvid primary flight feather.
Rarity
Very Common and abundant throughout its natural range.
Learn more about Eurasian Magpie (also known as Common Magpie) in the encyclopedia →

Found a feather like this?

Identify any feather from a photo, free.

Identify a feather

Description

The Eurasian Magpie is a highly intelligent and conspicuous bird known for its striking black-and-white plumage and very long, graduated tail. With a harsh, chattering call and bold demeanor, it is a familiar resident of human-altered landscapes as well as open woodlands.

Colour & Pattern

Striking bi-colored pattern featuring a glossy black base with an iridescent green/blue sheen on the distal dark portion, transitioning sharply into a brilliant stark white inner web and base.

Barb Structure

Pennaceous structure with tightly interlocked barbs and barbules on the upper vane, showing slight fraying and wear at the tips.

Texture & Surface

Smooth, glossy, and relatively stiff along the vane with a firm, resilient texture typical of durable flight feathers.

Key Features

Sharp, clean demarcation between glossy black (with structural iridescent sheen) and pure white areas on an asymmetrical flight feather.

Habitat

Open countryside with scattered trees, wood margins, farmland, parks, and suburban gardens.

Geographic Range

Widespread across temperate Eurasia, from Spain and the British Isles all the way to eastern Russia, China, and Korea.

Ecological Role

Acts as an omnivorous scavenger and predator, helping regulate insect populations and clean up organic debris, while serving as a nest host for some parasitic bird species.

Similar Species

Other corvids such as the Eurasian Jay or Jackdaw, but their feathers lack the stark, clean black-and-white block pattern characteristic of the magpie's primaries.

Interesting Facts

Magpies are among the smartest animals on Earth and are one of the few non-mammal species known to pass the mirror self-recognition test.

Condition Notes

Good condition with minor wear and slight fraying along the edges, typical of a naturally molted feather exposed to environmental elements.

Eurasian Magpie (also known as Common Magpie) | Feather Identifier