Australian Magpie
Gymnorhina tibicen
Anne Bowman
Print of original artwork - Anne works in pastel, watercolour & pencil.
42cm x 30cm (image 21cm x 26cm)
The handsome Australian Magpie is a familiar sight and sound to Australians. It's beautiful carolling, often performed in groups, is reputedly one of the most complex calls in the world.
Apart from arid deserts and the densest of forests, Australian Magpies are found all over Australia. They can be found in Southern New Guinea, and were introduced to New Zealand in the 1860's. They live in groups, in territories that they defend, and are found wherever there are trees in combination with nearby open areas, where they can forage.
Their protective, territorial instincts can be problematic to humans during the breeding seasons, when some birds will swoop and attack perceived intruders.
Magpies have brown eyes, and measure between 35 - 45cm in length. They have an average lifespan of between 23 - 25 years. All nine subspecies of magpies are black and white. The nape, shoulders and upper tail of males is white, whereas these areas in females are dull to grey tones; this, most obvious in the nape. In birds from S.E Australia, the extreme S. West, Central Australia and Tasmania, the back and rump feathers are completely white. Juveniles have similar colouring to females, but look more greyish overall. Their dark coloured areas are sometimes of a brownish shade, often with paler edging to heir dark breast and abdominal feathers. As it matures, a young magpie's beak colour changes from dark blue-grey to the dark-tipped pale grey of an adult.
The Magpie's breeding season is long, and it varies in different parts of the country. The female lays 2-5 eggs, which hatch after 20 days of incubation. During this time the male feeds her on the nest. Helper birds may assist in feeding and raising young, which may stay with the group fora few months, or up to a year or more.
Magpies are protected throughout NSW, and it is against the law to kill the birds, collect their eggs or harm their young. They are considered a species of 'Least Concern' by the IUCN.
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