Magpie

🔍 Overview

A familiar black-and-white bird in Sussex gardens and fields, with a reputation for intelligence and bold behaviour.

🪶 Key Identification Features

Size: Medium-large (44–46 cm)

Plumage: Black and white with iridescent green and blue wing and tail sheen

Bill: Large and strong

Tail: Long and wedge-shaped

Flight: Steady, fluttery with long glides

🗺️ Habitat & Distribution

Common across urban areas, parks, farmland, and woodland edges.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

Loud chattering “chack-chack.” Opportunistic and curious. Seen in pairs or small groups.

🍴 Diet

Omnivore—carrion, insects, eggs, seeds, and human scraps.

📸 Birding Tip

Look for their long tails flashing in open spaces. Often perch on rooftops or fences.