Australian Magpie

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The Australian magpie is a black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea, and introduced to New Zealand, and the Fijian island of Taveuni. 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. It is not closely related to the Eurasian magpie, which is a corvid.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 01

   Prominent white saddle on nape and upper back

   A broad, clean white patch across the back of the neck and shoulders, sharply defined against black plumage.

2. 02

   Solid black head, throat, and upper breast

   The entire head, face, throat, and upper breast are uniformly deep black, forming a distinct hood.

3. 03

   Bluish-white bill with neat black tip

   A heavy, dagger-shaped bill, pale at the base and sharply tipped with black.

4. 04

   Rich reddish-brown eye

   A diagnostic eye color in adults, visible at reasonable range.