Black-billed Magpie

The robust bird depicted in the photo at the top of this page is the Black-billed Magpie. This bird is a ubiquitous presence in Qingdao and much of Eastern China. Following is a description of this species' life and habits.

Field marks: Large (45-60cm.); iridescent, black and white, long tail.  Black portions of bird appear to be a green or blue in the right angle of light.
喜鹊 – xǐ-què – ‘magpie’

The Black-billed Magpie is one of the most familiar birds on the East Coast of China. It is widely known as the “lucky bird” by the Chinese, and it is associated with good luck and fortune for those who encounter it.

In fact, this species, while extremely handsome, has a far less attractive disposition and reputation. It should be noted that all species of magpie belong to the family, “corvidae.” This is the same family as the crow and the raven-two species better known for their association with bad luck and devilment as opposed to good fortune. All members of the family corvidae including magpies, crows, ravens and jays, are extremely intelligent animals and are considered by many ornithologists as the most intelligent of birds. However, this family also has a reputation for savagery.

The Black-billed Magpie is an omnivore, and it indeed consumes a large variety of foods. In addition to eating nuts, seeds and berries, it will take small rodents such as mice. The black-billed magpie, along with other members of its family, is known for its predatory behavior and will often dine on the young chicks of other bird species. It will also attack and bully cats, dogs, and other birds that may venture too close to it or its territory. It is clearly not a lucky bird for those species upon which it preys and wreaks havoc.

This species, in addition to its range in China is also found in the western part of North America. It can be found throughout much of western North America as well as  other locations in Asia. The species seems to be particularly successful on the East Coast of China, especially around Qingdao, where it appears to be as common as people.

This species is non-migratory, unlike most other songbirds. It may wander in order to find new food sources, but it does not undertake large scale migrations in spring and fall.

The Black-billed Magpie frequents open country such as fields and pastures with scattered trees. Its love of this habitat makes it an ideal city dweller, where it can find parks and suburban sprawl. It is this adaptability that we can admire about this bird, and although this magpie may be a scourge to other birds it will not bother people beyond attempts to steal scraps of food from your garbage.

Like many non-migratory species, the Black-billed Magpie breeds early in spring. It builds a large, domed nest of loosely bound twigs and the female lays 6-10 eggs. Young magpies can fly after about one month after hatching and feed themselves in two months.

Black-billed Magpie(Photo by Brian Westland)



Azure winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus)

Field marks:  black head, blue wings, long blue tail, and white underparts (31-35 cm.)
灰喜鹊 – huī xǐ-què – ‘grey magpie’

The Azure-winged Magpie is a close cousin of the “lucky bird” of China, the Black-billed Magpie. It is easy to see the physical similarities between the two species-the long slender body, the lengthy tail and bill, but these two species, while sharing a family heritage, seem to differ greatly in personality and attitude. The Black-billed Magpie is a noisy and aggressive bird that is often seen attacking and harrying other species. The Azure-winged Magpie, on the other hand, is a shy bird that is difficult to approach. In large cities, such as Beijing, these birds appear to have become much more approachable due to their exposure to friendly humans in city parks.

Like its more boisterous cousin, the Azure-winged Magpie is an omnivore that survives by consuming a wide variety of foods. This species will eat insects as well as pine seeds and acorns, the large seeds of the Oak tree. Given its more diffident temperament, the Azure-winged Magpie is less likely to engage in predatory behavior, and as such, it has not acquired the bully reputation of its bigger cousin.

This species can readily be found in city parks as these locations offer both the coniferous and deciduous trees that provide it with food and shelter. Outside of the city, the Azure-winged Magpie can be found in coniferous or deciduous forests.

The Azure-winged Magpie is a gregarious bird that likes the company of others of its kind. It is usually found in large loose flocks, especially in fall at the end of the breeding season. Following the completion of breeding and chick-rearing duties, azure-winged magpies will band together to search for food. Flocks of 50-60 individuals can often be seen gleaning the treetops of forests and moving together from tree to tree.

The Azure-winged Magpie nests in colonies with each pair of mated birds possessing its own tree in which to construct a nest and raise chicks. The female magpie usually lays around 6-8 eggs and incubates them for about two weeks before hatching.

Photo by Toshihiro Gamo