Identification: The body of the Australian magpie is black apart from a whit nape and white upper wing, rump and top of tail.

Call/Song: Makes a carolling when advertising and defending territory. Harsh, aggressive calls are made in flight.

Widespread throughout Australia.

Habitat:Found in varying population densities in most habitats.

Feeding: Feed predominately on a wide variety of insects.

Breeding/Nesting: Breeds from August through to October. Builds a basket of sticks lined with wool, hair and grass. This nest is placed in the outer foliage of a eucalypt or some other tree 6-16m off the ground.

Movement: Lives in well defined groups of 2 to 10 birds in eastern regions, although only one brood of young is usually reared. 
Although normally quite tame, the magpie may become highly aggressive during breeding season - swooping at passerbys who may walk too close to the nest.

Photo: H Iedema

Status:

Distribution: Occurs anywhere in open spaces.

Abundance:  Moderately common.

Queensland Museum (1995) Wildlife of Greater Brisbane, Queensland Museum, Brisbane.

Reader's Digest Services (1979) Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds, Surry Hills, NSW.