The Oriental Magpie is an East Asian bird with a long tail and bold black-and-white plumage. In the western U.S., the similar bird you may see is the Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia); the Oriental Magpie is not established in the wild in the U.S.
Appearance
Appearance
Black head and back, a white belly and wing patches, and a long tail
Both have long tails and black-and-white plumage, so a photo alone may be hard to separate. Black-billed Magpies are widespread in the western U.S.; Oriental Magpies live in East Asia.
Why they get mixed up · Their overall shape and black-and-white pattern are very similar.
This California magpie has a bright yellow bill. The Oriental Magpie has a black bill.
Why they get mixed up · Both have long tails and large black-and-white patches.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
Towns and cities
Farmland
Woodland edges
Range
Native across eastern Asia, including Korea and eastern China, and introduced in parts of Japan. It is not established in the wild in the U.S.
Seasonal presence
Stays in the same area all year rather than migrating
Behavior
Diet
— it eats insects, grain, and small animals
Life cycle
Breeding season
In Korea, eggs are laid from February to May
Nest
A large domed nest of dry twigs, built high in trees or on utility poles and power-line towers
Clutch size
2–7 eggs
Incubation
About 17–18 days
Name and classification
About the name
It was formerly treated as a of the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) under the name Pica pica serica, but is now treated as a separate species. The Black-billed Magpie and Yellow-billed Magpie (Pica nuttalli) are separate species too.
Conservation
IUCN Red List
NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed
Culture and stories
Culture and stories
In Korean folklore, magpies are seen as bearers of welcome news.
In the Korean Chilseok story, magpies help two separated lovers meet.