- Lifespan
- 10–25 years in the wild, with individuals regularly exceeding 20 years
- Size & Weight
- 40–51 cm long, wingspan 52–60 cm; 200–250 g
- Habitat
- Open woodland edges, parks, gardens, farmland, and scrubland with scattered trees across lowland Britain.
- UK Distribution
- Widespread and resident throughout England, Wales, and lowland Scotland; absent from upland regions and the far north of Scotland. Present year-round with no significant migration.
- Diet
- Highly omnivorous, feeding on insects, earthworms, small mammals, nestling birds, eggs, seeds, berries, and carrion, with diet varying seasonally.
- Prey
- Small mammals (voles, mice), nestling songbirds, eggs, insects (beetles, grasshoppers), earthworms
- Predators
- Sparrowhawks, goshawks, and golden eagles; foxes and domestic cats take eggs and young; corvids occasionally prey on juveniles
- Mating Season
- February to August, with peak activity March to May
- Breeding
- Clutch size 5–8 eggs, incubation period 21–22 days, typically single brood per year. Fledging occurs at 24–30 days; young remain dependent for several weeks post-fledging.
- Behaviour
- Magpies are highly intelligent, social corvids often seen in small parties or family groups. They are bold, conspicuous, and vocal birds known for their complex vocalizations and problem-solving abilities. They cache food and are known to mob predators and other large birds.