What is an Australian magpie?

An Australian magpie is a black and white bird that is common in Australia. Australian magpies are found in areas with a mix of forests and open terrain.

The feather patterns of Australian magpies depend on the region. For example, magpies that live in the southwest and southeast part of Australia have white rear ends, and most of the rest have black bodies. The top tail, nape and shoulders are white in males but grey for females.

Australian magpies eat insects and larvae, but they also accept food from humans, even going so far as to venture into open homes for scraps. They are mild-mannered, but some can be aggressive during the breeding season. Their nests are normally made of twigs with a bowl-like interior lined with hair or grass.