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Eurasian Magpie (also known as Common Magpie)
Contour body feather or scapular

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
Symmetrical with a tapering, pointed tip and well-defined vanes
Size
Approximately 3 to 4 inches long, standard for a large body or scapular feather of this species
Rarity
Very Common
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Description

A striking feather belonging to the Eurasian Magpie, a bird renowned for its intelligence, long graduated tail, and bold black-and-white plumage marked with flashes of iridescent blue and green. Magpies are highly adaptable social birds often seen foraging on the ground in pairs or small groups.

Colour & Pattern

Striking monochromatic pattern featuring a sharp boundary between glossy jet-black areas and crisp white, with potential subtle iridescent green or blue sheen near the dark base

Barb Structure

Pennaceous vane with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, firm and intact structure

Texture & Surface

Smooth, glossy, and firm texture with a sleek, aerodynamic finish characteristic of corvid contour feathers

Key Features

Distinctive high-contrast black-and-white coloration cleanly divided along the feather vane, combined with a glossy finish and slender black rachis

Habitat

Open countryside with scattered trees, wood edges, agricultural land, scrub, and urban or suburban parks

Geographic Range

Widespread across temperate Eurasia, from Spain and the British Isles eastward to Kamchatka and parts of western North America

Ecological Role

Acts as an opportunistic omnivore, scavenger, and seed disperser, playing a dynamic role in controlling insect populations and cleaning up organic matter

Similar Species

Other corvids such as the Black-billed Magpie or certain jay species, though the precise high-contrast black-and-white patterning is most diagnostic of the Eurasian or Black-billed Magpie complex

Interesting Facts

Magpies are among the smartest birds in the world and are one of the few non-mammal species known to pass the mirror self-recognition test

Condition Notes

Good condition with intact barbs, minimal wear, and no obvious fraying or fading