The black and white native bird found in Australia is the magpie. Magpies are a common bird seen across much of Australia. Their distinctive black and white plumage makes them easily recognizable.
Identification
Magpies have several key identification features:
- Black and white plumage – The male, female and juvenile magpies all have black and white feathers. The males have more white, while the females have more black.
- Long tail – Magpies have a long tail that is around 25-30cm in length. This helps distinguish them from other black and white birds like butcherbirds.
- Dark legs and bill – Their legs and curved bill are black in color.
- Distinctive call – Magpies have a loud musical call, often described as a caroling or flute-like song. Their calls are a familiar sound across suburban Australia.
Species
There are several different species of magpie found in Australia:
- Australian Magpie – The most widespread species found across eastern and southern Australia. They have a white back and black head, wings and undertail.
- Black-backed Magpie – Native to northern and western Australia. As the name suggests, they have all black plumage on their back.
- Western Magpie – Found across sparsely vegetated arid regions of Australia. They have a white back and more white on the wings.
- Tasmanian Magpie – A subspecies found only on the island of Tasmania. They are similar to the Australian Magpie but are slightly smaller.
The Australian Magpie is the most common and widespread species seen across suburban areas of major cities and towns.
Behavior
Magpies demonstrate some interesting behaviors:
- Swooping – Magpies may swoop humans and other animals during their breeding season from August to October. This is done to protect their nests and young.
- Mimicry – They are excellent mimics and can imitate a range of calls and sounds.
- Intelligence – Considered one of Australia’s most intelligent birds. They have a large brain compared to body size.
- Omnivorous – Magpies have an omnivorous diet, eating various plant material, insects, worms and even small vertebrates.
- Social – They live in social groups with a complex social structure. Related birds often help each other raise young.
Their intelligence and social behavior makes them one of Australia’s most fascinating birds.
Breeding
Magpies build a large nest on the fork of a tree during breeding season. Interesting breeding facts include:
- Nest – Built of sticks and lined with soft material like grass and mud. Usually high up in a tree fork up to 15m above the ground.
- Eggs – Between 1 to 5 eggs laid. The eggs are a pale bluish-green color with brown speckles.
- Incubation – Eggs incubated by the female for around 20 days before hatching.
- Young – Both parents feed and care for the chicks for an extended period as they grow and fledge.
- Duration – Magpies can live up to 25 years in the wild.
Nesting magpies are highly protective of their chicks and may swoop humans that get too close during this period.
Habitat
Magpies occupy a diverse range of habitats across Australia:
- Suburban areas – Very common in suburbs, parks and gardens of major cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
- Open woodlands – Found in open eucalyptus woodland, farms and grasslands of rural areas.
- Arid inland – Species like the Black-backed Magpie found across arid and desert environments.
- Coastal forests – Live in forest and woodlands along the eastern and southern coastline.
- Tasmanian forests – The Tasmanian magpie inhabits cool temperate forests.
Their adaptability allows magpies to thrive in both urban and natural landscapes across the continent.
Diet
Magpies are omnivorous and eat a wide range of food:
- Insects – Beetles, ants, millipedes, caterpillars and flies make up much of their diet.
- Fruits – Eat berries and fruits like figs and apples.
- Seeds – Consume seeds and grains like wheat and oats.
- Nectar – Drink nectar from flowers like eucalypts and banksias.
- Small animals – May eat lizards, frogs, rats, mice and other small prey.
- Scraps – Scavenge food scraps and leftovers in urban areas.
Their diverse diet provides all the nutrients and energy they require across various habitats.
| Species | Distribution | Identifying features |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Magpie | Eastern and southern Australia | White back, black head and wings |
| Black-backed Magpie | Northern and western Australia | All black back |
| Western Magpie | Arid inland regions | More white on wings and back |
Summary
To summarize, the black and white native bird found across most of Australia is the Australian Magpie. Magpies are an iconic Aussie bird recognized for their loud warbling song and aggressive swooping to protect their nests during breeding season. They demonstrate complex social behavior, adaptability to various habitats, and an omnivorous diet. Their striking black and white plumage provides easy identification of Australia’s most familiar bird. Magpies hold an important place in the country’s natural and cultural heritage.
