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Australian Magpie ([Gymnorhina] Cracticus tibicen) Alternate name(s): "Flute Bird", "Piping Crow-shrike" (includes "Black-backed Magpie" and "White-backed Magpie") Aboriginal name(s): Race "tibicen": "burrugaabu" [gamilaraay]; "galamarin"/"gulamburan"/"gulgurang"/"gurahmburuhn" [bundjalung]; Race "terraereginae": "burrugarrbuu" [yuwaalaraay]; "jawajawa" [ngadjon]; Race "dorsalis": "koorbat", "koorbardi", "koorbardo", "parwan" Race "tyrannica": "karrak", "kurruk" [yartwatjali, tjapwurrung, djadjawurrung]; "koora", "barrawarn", "bilinga", "coorabie" Size: 37-43 cm; wing span: 65-85 cm Body mass: 220-350 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.30-0.45

Australia: Family Group 22 Family Group 22 Table White-winged Triller Varied Triller Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Barred Cuckoo-shrike Ground Cuckoo-shrike Sahul Cicadabird (Australasian) Yellow Oriole Olive-backed Oriole Australasian Figbird White-breasted Woodswallow Masked Woodswallow White-browed Woodswallow Black-faced Woodswallow Dusky Woodswallow Little Woodswallow Black Butcherbird Grey Butcherbird Silver-backed Butcherbird Black-backed Butcherbird Pied Butcherbird Australian Magpie Black Currawong Grey Currawong Pied Currawong Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names Habitat pages Key plants Birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Australian Magpies have a dimorphic plumage, i.e. males and females are slightly different. Male Australian Magpies have a white nape of the neck, while females have a greyish nape of the neck with some scalloping. Details of their morphology depend on race. There are two groups of races, "black-backed" and "white-backed". The head of all races and both sexes is black. Also the entire front is black down to the vent. All races also have a white rump and undertail coverts. The tail is white, except for a black terminal band and black outer edges. The wings are black, except for a prominent, wide white bar. All races, both sexes, have eyes with dark red-brown irises. The strong, pointy, straight bill is grey, with a dark-grey tip. Legs and feet are dark-grey. Juveniles of all races resemble females, but they have more brownish-grey hues where adults are black.

Taxonomy, classification See Australian Magpie at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Australian Magpie is available HERE . Australian Magpies naturally occur in Australia and in southern New Guinea. There are introduced populations in New Zealand, the Solomon Islands and Fiji. There are several races of Australian Magpies, which are found over much of the Australian continent, for details refer to a field guide. In general, the races called "White-backed Magpie" are found in the South of the continent (and Tasmania), the so-called "Black-backed Magpie" in the northern parts and the centre of the continent. Nominate race "tibicen" is found roughly in the Great Dividing Range and coastal strip of NSW and in the far south-eastern tip of QLD. Race "terraereginae" is found in most of QLD (except parts of Cape York peninsula) and inland NSW, the northern part of VIC, the north-eastern half of SA and part of the south-western corner of the NT (except the Lake Eyre Basin). Race "tyrannica" occurs along the (near-)coastal strip of southern VIC and the far south-eastern corner of SA. Race "eylandtensis", the name of which is derived from "Groote Eylandt" in the Gulf of Carpentaria, is found in the central parts of the NT, extending into WA just to the South of the Kimberley and along the southern coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria up to about Mt. Isa, QLD. The range of race "dorsalis" comprises the South-west of WA, up to a line connecting Carnarvon with Esperance. Race "telonocua" is found only in the south-western half of SA up to a line from the three-state corner via Coober Pedy to just to the South-East of Adelaide, including Kangaroo Island, and into the border region with south-eastern WA, but they are only rarely found in the Nullarbor. Race "hypoleuca is endemic to Tasmania and Flinders Island and Cape Barren Island in the Bass Strait. Australian Magpies are found in various types of habitat, from the semi-desert of the red centre to the coastal fringe, including cities. They prefer open country with scattered trees, as it is often found on farms, but also along roadsides and in urban parks. Where to look? How to find this species? Australian Magpies adapt very well to the presence of humans. They can easily be found in gardens, public parks and in other urban environments. No special effort is required to find the species, other than to look around in town, e.g. along residential streets, (and hope not to be swooped upon).

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "tibicen" Australian Magpies, race "tibicen", are one of the most common bird species in our area around Narrabri, in inland NSW. They are fiercely territorial birds, which live in their territories in family units of normally up to 10 members (in towns). Out in the country, the units tend to be smaller, up to 4 birds (a pair with their latest offspring). Australian Magpies, race "tibicen", are also sighted by us regularly on trips into the Great Dividing Range and to the East of it, all along the southern QLD coast and the NSW coastline. Race "terraereginae" Race "terraereginae" was seen by us also on a trip to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008, basically everywhere we went. As opposed to Magpie-larks, we found Australian Magpies in the most remote locations, even after several years of drought. D. Wilczynska reports spotting Australian Magpies, race "terraereginae", at Yulara, NT, in March 2015. M. Eaton found Australian Magpies, race "terraereginae", at Lake Moondarra, near Mount Isa, QLD, in June 2025. Race "tyrannica" Australian Magpies, race "tyrannica", were seen and photographed by C. Kellenberg at Lakes NP, VIC, in March 2009. R. Plumtree reports seeing Australian Magpies, race "tyrannica", regularly in VIC, e.g. in East Gippsland. A leucistic bird of race "tyrannica" was spotted by D. Pope in Beechworth, VIC, in August 2012. M. Eaton found Australian Magpies, race "tyrannica", at the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, VIC, in April 2023. Race "eylandtensis" Race "eylandtensis" was spotted by J. Thurmer near Katherine, NT, in July 2012. H. Mouritsen reports spotting an Australian Magpie, race "eylandtensis", in varous locations in and around Darwin, NT, in October 2015. Race "dorsalis" J. Greaves reports seeing Australian Magpies, race "dorsalis", regularly in Perth, WA, and also in other parts of south-western WA, such as e.g. Albany and Manjimup. A leucistic Australian Magpie, race "dorsalis", seen near Esperance, WA, was reported to us by G. Harris. M. Eaton reports spotting Australian Magpies, race "dorsalis", at Margaret River, WA, in April 2019. C. Pears reports finding Australian Magpies, race "dorsalis", in various locations in Perth, WA. They are also seen on a daily basis in Quindalup, WA. Race "telonocua" J. Greaves reports seeing Australian Magpies, race "telonocua", at Karatta, Kangaroo Island, SA, in March 2016. Race "hypoleuca" M. Eaton reports finding Australian Magpies, race "hypoleuca", at Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, in April 2021, in St. Helens, TAS, in September 2021, and on Bruny Island, TAS, in September 2024.

Photos

Race "tibicen"

This race is one of the races collectively called "Black-backed Magpie".

ADULT

PAIR

Many bird species exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e., male and female have differing appearances which can be quite subtle.
Check the nape of the neck: The male's, on the left (hunched), is all-white, while the female's shows grey scalloping towards the lower end.
NB: We show here the difference for nominate race "tibicen". The colouring especially of the back of various races of Australian Magpies differs and the male v female distinction also varies (see below) although, generally speaking, it is always about the nape of the neck.

Lateral view of a pair of Australian Magpies in flight
[Goran Lake, NSW, March 2023]

MALE

Frontal view of a male Australian Magpie on its shady roost looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lamington NP, QLD, February 2018]

Close-up frontal/ventral view of a warbling male Australian Magpie looking sideways
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2020]

Close-up near-frontal view of a male Australian Magpie looking sideways
[Near Narrabri, NSW, September 2006]

Close-up near-frontal view of a male Australian Magpie looking sideways, now being challenged by a Noisy Miner
[Near Narrabri, NSW, September 2006]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a curious female Australian Magpie
[Near Narrabri, NSW, 2004]

Close-up near-frontal view of a female Australian Magpie
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2011]

Lateral view of a female Australian Magpie on a lawn
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

Dorsal view of a female Australian Magpie
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

Lateral view of a female Australian Magpie straight out of the bathtub
[Eulah Creek, NSW, July 2010]

Sex unknown

Admittedly, the bird is difficult to see, but this is the bird's intention - Australian Magpies roost in dense foliage of tall trees such as this eucalypt; the bird was about 8 m high and almost invisible; the light-blue dot is its eye reflecting some of the camera flash's light - without having seen where this bird and its partner settled in for the night we would not have been able to find them
[Eulah Creek, NSW, July 2011]

Lateral/ventral view of an Australian Magpie in flight
[Old Bar, NSW, July 2013]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Close-up near-lateral view of an immature male Australian Magpie
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2011]

Close-up frontal view of an immature female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2021]

Close-up near-frontal view of an immature, probably female, Australian Magpie
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2007]

Close-up near-frontal view of an immature female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2021]

Near-lateral view of an immature, probably female, Australian Magpie foraging on the ground
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2007]

Lateral view of a juvenile Australian Magpie (note the pink gape)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2016]

Dorsal view of two youngster Australian Magpies following their dad, begging for food
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2010]

Close-up near-lateral view of an juvenile Australian Magpie waiting to be fed (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Central Coast, QLD, October 2013]

Female Australian Magpie feeding a dependent juvenile (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lamington NP, QLD, February 2018]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a fledgling Australian Magpie; this bird and one of its siblings were out of the nest, while a third chick was still inside
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2015]

Race "terraereginae"

This race is one of the races collectively called "Black-backed Magpie".

ADULT

MALE

Close-up frontal portrait of a male Australian Magpie
[Burren Junction Bore Bath, NSW, January 2020]

Lateral view of a male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Yulara, NT, March 2015]

Dorsal view of a male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Moondarra, near Mount Isa, QLD, June 2025]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Close-up full-frontal view of an immature, probably female, Australian Magpie
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, January 2018]

Close-up near-lateral portrait of an immature, probably female, Australian Magpie
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, January 2018]

Close-up near-lateral portrait of an immature, probably female, Australian Magpie
[Near Hawker, SA, March 2008]

Close-up near-lateral view of an immature, probably female, Australian Magpie looking towards the observer
[Near Hawker, SA, March 2008]

Close-up dorsal view of an immature, probably female, Australian Magpie
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, January 2018]

Race "eylandtensis"

This race is one of the races collectively called "Black-backed Magpie".

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of an immature Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of J. Thurmer)
[Near Katherine, NT, July 2012]

Lateral view of an immature Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of J. Thurmer)
[Near Katherine, NT, July 2012]

Race "tyrannica"

This race is one of the races collectively called "White-backed Magpie".

ADULT

PAIR

Many bird species exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e., male and female have differing appearances which can be quite subtle.
Check the nape of the neck: The male's, on the left, is all-white, while the female's shows grey scalloping towards the lower end.

Close-up lateral view of a pair of Australian Magpie, female in front (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, VIC, April 2023]

MALE

Frontal view of a male Australian Magpie looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, VIC, April 2023]

Near-lateral view of a male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, VIC, April 2023]

Close-up lateral view of a male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, VIC, April 2023]

Close-up lateral view of a male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, VIC, April 2023]

FEMALE

Close-up lateral view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, VIC, April 2023]

Close-up lateral view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, VIC, April 2023]

Close-up dorsal view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, VIC, April 2023]

Dorsal view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg)
[Lakes National Park, VIC, March 2009]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Batemans Bay, NSW, April 2023]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Australian Magpie "tyrannica" (photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg)
[Lakes National Park, VIC, March 2009]

Juvenile Australian Magpie "tyrannica" in flight (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay South, East Gippsland, VIC, January 2017]

Race "dorsalis"

This race is one of the races collectively called "White-backed Magpie".

ADULT

PAIR

Many bird species exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e., male and female have differing appearances which can be quite subtle.
Check the nape of the neck: The male's, on the left, is all-white, while the female's shows grey scalloping towards the lower end.

Dorsal view of a pair of Australian Magpies, race "dorsalis", basking in the sun - male on the right, female on the left
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[East Perth, WA, December 2014]

Pair of Australian Magpies, race "dorsalis", basking in the sun - male in front, female behind (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[East Perth, WA, December 2014]

MALE

Close-up frontal view of a male Australian Magpie, race "dorsalis" (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up near-frontal view of a male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up lateral view of a male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up lateral view of a male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Lateral view of a male Australian Magpie looking away from the observer (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a male Australian Magpie; note the clean-white back (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]

Close-up dorsal view of a male Australian Magpie looking sideways (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up dorsal view of a male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

FEMALE

Close-up near-frontal view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up near-frontal view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up lateral portrait of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Quindalup, WA, February 2026]

Close-up lateral view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up lateral view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up lateral view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up dorsal view of a female Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Close-up near-dorsal view of an immature male Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up frontal view of a juvenile Australian Magpie; note the greyish, vermiculated front (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a juvenile Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Dorsal view of a juvenile Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Family of Australian Magpies, one of which has scavenged bread (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Quindalup, WA, April 2025]

Female, front, with two juvenile Australian Magpies (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Quindalup, WA, April 2025]

Leucistic Australian Magpies

The photo below of a leucistic Australian Magpie, race "tibicen", was kindly provided by E. Ormerod.

Frontal view of a leucistic Australian Magpie "tibicen"; note that the bird is also sick with pox virus(?)
(photo courtesy of E. Ormerod)
[New Lambden Heights, Newcastle, NSW, June 2014]

The photos below of a leucistic Australian Magpie "tyrannica" (in which part of the colour pigments are white instead of their usual colour) were kindly contributed by D. Pope.

Close-up lateral view of a leucistic Australian Magpie "tyrannica"; with the speckled neck it is difficult to tell whether the bird is male or female (photo courtesy of D. Pope)
[Beechworth, VIC, August 2012]

Lateral view of a leucistic Australian Magpie "tyrannica" (photo courtesy of D. Pope)
[Beechworth, VIC, August 2012]

The photos below of a leucistic Australian Magpie, race "dorsalis" were kindly provided by G. Harris.

Near-dorsal and dorsal views of a leucistic Australian Magpie "dorsalis"; only small patches on the bird's wings are grey, the rest is white (photos courtesy of G. Harris)
[Esperance, WA, October 2012]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of two juvenile sibling Australian Magpies, race "tibicen"; the bird on the right has normal colours, the one on the left is leucistic (photo courtesy of E. Ormerod)
[New Lambden Heights, Newcastle, NSW, June 2014]

Race "telonocua"

This race is one of the races collectively called "White-backed Magpie".

ADULT

MALE

Lateral view of a male Australian Magpie "telonocua" (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Karatta, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]

Race "hypoleuca"

This race is one of the races collectively called "White-backed Magpie".

ADULT

PAIR

Many bird species exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e., male and female have differing appearances which can be quite subtle.
Check the nape of the neck: The male's, on the left, is all-white, while the female's shows grey scalloping towards the lower end.

Lateral view of a pair of Australian Magpies "hypoleuca" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[St. Helens, TAS, September 2021]

MALE

Frontal view of a male Australian Magpie "hypoleuca" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[St. Helens, TAS, September 2021]

Lateral view of a male Australian Magpie "hypoleuca" looking at the observer (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, April 2021]

Lateral view of a male Australian Magpie "hypoleuca" looking at the observer while carrying a load of earthworms for its brood (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bruny Island, TAS, September 2024]

Lateral view of a male Australian Magpie "hypoleuca" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, April 2021]

Lateral view of a male Australian Magpie "hypoleuca" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[St. Helens, TAS, September 2021]

FEMALE

Near-dorsal view of a female Australian Magpie "hypoleuca" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, April 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a female Australian Magpie "hypoleuca" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[St. Helens, TAS, September 2021]

Dorsal view of a female Australian Magpie "hypoleuca" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, April 2021]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Oct

Eggs: 3 - 5

Incubation period: 20 days

Fledging age: 28 days

Although Australian Magpies can have clutches of up to 6 eggs, we have not seen a family yet that raised more than 2 chicks per season to adulthood.

Australian Magpies, especially females (who incubate the eggs and carry most of the responsibility for caring for the chicks), are very protective of their nests.

Twitcher's tip

Usually any Australian Magpie swooping close to its nest is a female. To deter it from coming up from behind you it may help to put sunglasses on the wrong way round - this way the bird will think that you are looking at it; and it won't attack from the front (they are too clever to do that!).

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket

Material: Sticks, with grass and/or feather lining

Height above ground: 5 - 20 m

The photos below give an indication of the strength of Australian Magpies. Only birds that are not of afraid of predation or possible disturbance of the nest can permit themselves to nest in a flowering tree. Smaller, less powerful species will not do this.

Australian Magpie nesting in a flowering eucalypt
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2018]

Nesting in a flowering eucalypt tree comes with an advantage: The next snack is just one hop away, in this case a bee
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2018]

Australian Magpie sitting on its nest (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Swan Reach, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]

Near-frontal/ventral view of an Australian Magpie in its nest, tending to its chicks
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, September 2012]

Australian Magpie on the edge of its nest
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2007]

Fledgling Australian Mapgie that has fled its nest, five weeks later
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2007]

Additional information

Some bird species, such as e.g. Little Friarbirds, Striped Honeyeaters, Willie Wagtails and Magpie-larks, like to take advantage of the protection offered by nesting under an Australian Magpie nest.

There is a separate page about various bird species nesting under the umbrella of a stronger, protective species.

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 38 x 25 mm

Colour: Olive-green, with irregular brown pattern

Shape: Tapered oval

Fragments of an Australian Magpie egg found not far from a nest; the eggshell looks like it was opened by the hatchling
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2011]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Sedentary

Elementary unit: Pair/family clan

Especially at the time of dispersal, i.e. the end of their breeding season, mobs of up to 50, even 100, Australian Magpies can occasionally be found. These are most likely young non-breeders.

Every attempt by us to describe the behavioural patterns of Australian Magpies would be preposterous, considering that there is the very enlightening book "Australian Magpie" by Gisela Kaplan (CSIRO Publishing). But a bit more local "gossip" can be added.

It may be noteworthy that, apart from some parrots and cockatoos, Australian Magpies are one of the few bird species known to us that show playful behaviour (juvenile birds; photo below).

Frontal view of not one, but two, juvenile Channel-billed Cuckoos begging to be fed by their host parents, a pair of Australian Magpies - that will keep them busy! (photo courtesy of C. Linfoot)
[Hervey Range, near Townsville, QLD, January 2021]

At Eulah Creek, 20 km east of Narrabri, where there are plenty of suitable trees around for nesting, the local pair of Australian Magpies will not allow any Australian Ravens around their nest. However, on a broadacre farm near Bellata, NSW, where there is only one suitable tree within kilometers, Australian Magpies nest in the same tree as Australian Ravens.

Family of Australian Magpies cooling in the shade of a tree
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2020]

Lateral view of a male Australian Magpie taking a shower
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2013]

Dorsal view of a female Australian Magpie basking in the sun
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2020]

Lateral view of a female Australian Magpie drying its plumage in the sun
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

The exact-same place, 2 years later, the same female Australian Magpie(?) drying its plumage in the sun
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2013]

The same female Australian Magpie as in the previous photo, now drying the other side
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2013]

Australian Magpies are fiercely territorial birds that we have seen chasing and hustling various other bird species. In 2007, the local Australian Magpies in the Narrabri area started swooping on people coming too close to their nesting trees around August - a good indication that their breeding season had begun.

Lateral view of a warbling female Australian Magpie
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2013]

We have seen an Australian Raven hustle an Australian Magpie, stealing its prey in flight. When the Australian Magpie let go of the small lizard it had caught, the Australian Raven scooped it up in mid-air and then flew to a nearby tree to pluck it apart while sitting on a horizontal branch. However, during the Australian Magpies' nesting season, the chase is on the other way round.

Australian Magpies sometimes have a go at Crested Pigeons (with what we took to be intent to kill; we have also once seen an Australian Magpie plucking a Crested Pigeon). They are also seen by us regularly hustling whole family clans of White-winged Choughs.

Australian Magpies are fiercely protective of their territory and, in particular, of their young.

Pair of Australian Magpies challenging a male Brown Falcon while their two juveniles scrambled into the crown of a nearby tree for cover; these are the birds whose alarm calls were recorded on 20 November 2019
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2019]

Australian Magpie swooping on 3 fledgling Eastern Barn Owls sitting outside their nest around sunset
[Near Narrabri, NSW, July 2021]

Frontal view of an Australian Magpie challenging a Lace Monitor
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2020]

Frontal view of an Australian Magpie that is not afraid to defend its territory against a fox
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]

Stand-off between an Australian Magpie and a Laughing Kookaburra
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2019]

Fledgling Australian Magpie face-down flat on the ground, with both wings at full stretch, basking in the sun, while one of its parents is watching over it from a shady spot
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2011]

The same behaviour of two immature Australian Magpies was observed by A. Ross-Taylor
[Pacific Pines, Gold Coast, QLD]

It is known that birds can cool off with their wings spread above moist soil, but this Australian Magpie demonstrates that it also knows how to use the heat of roof tiles to warm up on a winter's day (photo courtesy of J. Ross-Taylor)
[Ashmore, Gold Coast, QLD, August 2015]

This male Australian Magpie is posturing (possibly to establish his supremacy), with his partner on her back, on the ground
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2014]

We have observed flocks of non-breeding Australian Magpies up to about 60 birds strong.

In a close encounter, a juvenile Australian Magpie and a juvenile Torresian Crow could not decide who was the strongest of the two...
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2022]

... so it was decided that both will share access to water
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2022]

Additional information

There is a separate page describing how a female is fed by a male bird at the start of the nesting season.

Additional information

There is a separate page describing how an Australian Magpie attacks a Wedge-tailed Eagle near its nest site during its breeding season.

Food, Diet

Australian Magpies feed mostly on insects up to the size of locusts. However, we have also seen them take fruit (e.g. mulberries) and pluck birds as large as a Crested Pigeon.

Close-up lateral view of an immature male Australian Magpie with its prey, a witchetty grub (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Male Australian Magpie with its prey, which looks like a hairy caterpillar (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Reserve, QLD, April 2018]

Male Australian Magpie with its prey, which looks like a Witchety Grub (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, March 2023]

Australian Magpie working on its precious meal (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, March 2023]

At this point, the grub does not look particularly appetising to humans, but an Australian Magpie will tell you that THAT is how it's supposed to be (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, March 2023]

Lateral portrait of a male Australian Magpie with its prey, a spider
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2008]

Near-frontal view of a female Australian Magpie with its catch (which looks like a spider)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2011]

This female Australian Magpie has caught something bigger (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, November 2011]

A few mulberries are treats for fledgling Australian Magpies
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2010]

This female Australian Magpie clearly knows how to pry the soft dough out of the hard crust (photo courtesy of J. Ross-Taylor)
[Ashmore, Gold Coast, QLD, March 2015]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

magpie_20170802_2.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Territorial call ("warble")	© MD
magpie_20180516.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Territorial call ("warble")	© MD
magpie_20211023.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Territorial call ("warble"; crack of dawn)	© MD
magpie_20180427.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Territorial call ("warble"; tentative)	© MD
magpie_20200731.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Break of dawn territorial calls	© MD
magpie_20191120.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Alarm calls (Brown Falcon)	© MD
magpie_20170802_4.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Warning/departure	© MD
magpie_20170802_3.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Suspicious/warning	© MD
magpie_20220405.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Suspicious (human) + warble	© MD
magpie_20200715.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Suspicious/warning	© MD
magpie_20140928_2.mp3	tibicen (NW NSW)	Singing in the bathtub	© MD
magpie_20200715_2.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Various (pair)	© MD
magpie_20180928.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Immature practising warble	© MD
magpie_20171027.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Begging calls (2 juveniles)	© MD
magpie_20210112.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Arrival & begging calls (juvenile)	© MD
magpie_20191021.m4a	tibicen (NW NSW)	Begging calls (Juvenile on tin roof)	© MD
magpie_cp_20260717.m4a	dorsalis (SW WA)	Territorial call ("warble"; Q&A)	© CP
magpie_cp_20260621.m4a	dorsalis (SW WA)	Territorial call ("warble") (+ New Holland Honeyeater)	© CP
magpie_cp_20250415.m4a	dorsalis (SW WA)	Various (family clan)	© CP

We have noticed that Australian Magpies often have singing contests with Magpie-larks.

peewee_20140404.mp3	tibicen (NW NSW)	Magpie-lark first	© MD
peewee_20140404_2.mp3	tibicen (NW NSW)	Australian Magpie first	© MD

We have also recorded Australian Magpie wing beats.

magpie_20250823.m4a

tibicen (NW NSW)

Swooping

© MD

More Australian Magpie sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.