Australian Magpie

Gymnorhina tibicen

Australian Magpies are incredibly intelligent; they can recognize and remember individual human faces for years, associating them with either positive or negative past interactions.

Scientific name

Gymnorhina tibicen

Taxonomy

Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Artamidae › Gymnorhina

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Population trend

stable

Biome

grassland

Habitat

Open woodlands, grasslands, suburban parks, and agricultural lands with scattered trees.

Diet

Omnivorous; feeds on ground-dwelling invertebrates like worms and larvae, as well as small lizards, fruit, and grain.

Range

Australia, Southern New Guinea

Size

37-43 cm in length with a wingspan of 76-85 cm.

Lifespan

20-30 years

Active

diurnal

Threats

Habitat fragmentation, pesticide exposure, and collisions with motor vehicles.

Safe to approach?

Generally harmless but highly defensive during spring nesting (swooping season). If swooped, walk quickly and calmly away; do not run or flap arms. Wear a wide-brimmed hat or carry an umbrella. If a peck breaks the skin, wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical advice if signs of infection appear.

The Australian magpie ( Gymnorhina tibicen ) is a medium-sized black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea. 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 ( Melloria quoyi ). It is not, however, closely related to the European magpie, which...

Photo: Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, CC-BY, via iNaturalist

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