Based on the description provided, the grey bird with a forked tail is most likely a common magpie. Magpies are medium-sized birds that are black and white in coloration with long tails. The forked or v-shaped tail is a key identifying feature of magpies.
Identifying Features of Magpies
Magpies belong to the Corvidae family, which includes crows, ravens, jays, and other similar birds. There are several different species of magpies found around the world, but the most widespread is the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica). Some key features of Eurasian magpies include:
- Size: 40-50 cm long with a wingspan of 65-75 cm
- Coloration: Black and white plumage with green and purple iridescence on wings and tail
- Long tail: Makes up half the length of the bird, forked at the end
- Black belly and shoulders contrasting white back and undertail
- Bright yellow eyes and black legs/bill
- Distinctive loud “chattering” call
The striking black and white coloration with the long forked tail makes magpies visually distinctive birds. The tail shape in particular is a key identifier compared to other similar corvids.
plumage patterns
Magpies exhibit a black and white plumage pattern over most of their body. The head, belly, shoulders, primaries, and tail are black, while the back, underside, secondaries, and neck collar are white. There can be some variation among individuals and subspecies, but this basic color scheme remains.
The black plumage has an iridescent sheen of purple and green when caught in the sunlight. This iridescence is most prominent on the wings and tail. The contrast of the black and white plumage is striking on these birds in flight or at rest.
Tail shape
The long forked or wedge-shaped tail of magpies is an excellent identification marker. It makes up around half the total length of the bird. The outer feathers extend farthest while the middle pair are the shortest. This gives the forked shape to the tail.
Compared to other corvids, magpies have the longest tail relative to their body size. Other crows, jays, etc. may show a slight notch in the tail but lack the pronounced forked shape. This makes the tail a reliable way to distinguish magpies.
Habitat and Distribution
Eurasian magpies are widespread throughout much of Europe and Asia. Their range extends from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Kamchatka Peninsula region of eastern Russia. They are also found across North Africa and the Middle East.
Within their widespread range, magpies utilize a variety of habitats. They thrive in both rural and urban/suburban areas. Key habitat requirements include:
- Trees for nesting and roosting – prefers tall trees like oak, pine, and elm
- Open grounds for foraging – pastures, meadows, parks, gardens
- Access to berries, insects, small mammals for food
Magpies are highly adaptable birds that can live successfully alongside humans. Their numbers have increased as forest cutting and agriculture provides the mosaic of trees and open areas they prefer. Urban areas also provide plentiful food sources.
Geographic range
The Eurasian magpie is found across a broad swathe of Europe and Asia. Their breeding range extends west to east from the Atlantic coasts of Portugal and Spain to the Pacific shores of Kamchatka in Russia. They range as far north as Scandinavia and across Siberia.
To the south, their range extends into North Africa in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. They are also found through the Middle East in countries such as Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
Habitat preferences
Magpies are able to utilize both rural and urban habitats successfully. In rural areas they frequent open woodlands interspersed with fields, meadows, and livestock pastures. This provides the combination of tall trees for nesting and exposed ground for foraging they prefer.
In urban settings, parks, gardens, stadiums, and other green spaces provide similar nesting and feeding opportunities. Abundant food waste in cities also benefits magpies. They are bold and intelligent birds adapted to living close to human activity.
Magpie Behavior and Biology
Magpies exhibit complex social and intelligent behaviors. They are omnivorous, feeding on anything from insects to small mammals. Here are some interesting facts about their behavior and biology:
- Highly social, living in loose flocks with complex hierarchies
- Form monogamous breeding pairs that mate for life
- Build large domed nests high in trees
- Mostly eat invertebrates like insects but also opportunistic foragers
- Known for cached food hoards and stealing shiny objects
- Loud territorial calls create “gossip” within groups
- Considered one of the most intelligent bird species
Magpies are highly social and communicative birds. Their loud calls facilitate complex interactions within their flock. They also exhibit impressive learning behaviors in both the wild and captivity.
Social behavior
Eurasian magpies have sophisticated social behaviors and interactions. They form loose flocks outside of breeding season that can include up to 40 birds. There is a complex hierarchy within these groups based on age and sex.
Social interactions are facilitated by various vocalizations. Their harsh “chattering” calls are thought to communicate different messages. Specific calls can denote alarm at predators, warn of territorial intrusions, or signal feeding sites to other magpies.
Diet and feeding
Magpies are opportunistic omnivores, eating a wide variety of plant and animal matter. Their diet includes:
- Insects – beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, etc.
- Earthworms and other invertebrates
- Small mammals – mice, voles, shrews
- Eggs and nestlings of other birds
- Grains and seeds of plants
- Berries, fruits, and nuts
- Carrion and food waste provided by humans
They probe the ground with their long bills to catch insects and other invertebrates. Small mammals and eggs may be opportunistically raided from nests and burrows. Berries and fruits are plucked directly from bushes and trees.
Magpies often cache excess food in shallow holes for later recovery. They have long-term spatial memory allowing them to find thousands of caches.
Relationship to Humans
Magpies have a complex relationship with humans throughout their range. In some cases they are seen as noisy pests, while in other cultures they are admired. Magpies thrive in human-altered environments. Here are some key intersections of magpies and people:
- Increase near agriculture/development as forests are cleared
- Abundant in urban areas where they scavenge waste
- Predation on songbird nests increases conflicts with people
- Intelligence and social behavior inspire appreciation and folklore
- Magpie attacks on humans are possible but rare
Overall, magpies are bold birds that know how to take advantage of the habitat changes and food sources provided by human activity. Their success living alongside people also leads to more opportunities for conflict and aggression. But many people enjoy their social traits, intelligence, and striking appearance.
Urban abundance
| City | Estimated magpie population |
|---|---|
| London, England | 100,000+ pairs |
| Madrid, Spain | 79,000+ pairs |
| Paris, France | 62,000+ pairs |
| Berlin, Germany | 35,000+ pairs |
Magpies thrive in urban areas which provide abundant food sources in the form of refuse and insects attracted to gardens and parks. Cities also have less predation pressure. Breeding magpie populations in major European cities range into the tens of thousands of pairs.
Reputation and cultural importance
Magpies hold a range of symbolic meaning in human culture:
- Seen as sly, aggressive, and untrustworthy in some societies
- Viewed as playful, social, and clever in other cultures
- Featured in Aesop’s fables and other folktales
- Subject of art, poetry, and mythology across Eurasia
- “Magpie rhymes” used to ward off bad luck in England
Their intelligence, social behavior, and black/white coloring inspire strong reactions in people, both positive and negative. Magpies have a complex relationship with humans that varies across different cultures.
Conclusion
Based on the identifying traits of black and white plumage, long forked tail, and size, the grey bird in question is likely the Eurasian magpie. Magpies are highly intelligent, social corvids that thrive alongside human habitation. They have inspired a range of cultural meanings, myths, and appreciation of their lively behavior across Europe and Asia where they are native breeding birds.
