Pica pica -- (Linnaeus, 1758)ANIMALIA -- CHORDATA -- AVES -- PASSERIFORMES -- CORVIDAECommon names: Black-billed Magpie; Common Magpie; Eurasian Magpie; Magpie

European Red List AssessmentEuropean Red List Status

LC -- Least Concern, (IUCN version 3.1)

Assessment InformationYear published: 2015Date assessed: 2015-03-31Assessor(s): BirdLife InternationalReviewer(s): Symes, A.Compiler(s): Ashpole, J., Burfield, I., Ieronymidou, C., Pople, R., Wheatley, H. & Wright, L.Assessment RationaleEuropean regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

At both European and EU27 scales this species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (30% decline over ten years or three generations).

For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern within both Europe and the EU27.

OccurrenceCountries/Territories of OccurrenceNative:Albania; Andorra; Armenia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Ireland, Rep. of; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of; Moldova; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russian Federation; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; Ukraine; United KingdomVagrant:Faroe Islands (to DK)

PopulationThe European population is estimated at 10,300,000-17,800,000 pairs, which equates to 20,600,000-35,600,000 mature individuals. The population in the EU27 is estimated at 7,050,000-11,200,000 pairs, which equates to 14,100,000-22,300,000 mature individuals. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF.

TrendIn Europe and the EU27 the population size is estimated to be stable. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF.

Habitats and EcologyThis species inhabits a tremendous variety of open country, preferably with at least scattered trees (Madge 2009). It is evenly distributed in urban, rural and natural landscapes and frequents parks, gardens, most farmland, heaths, freshwater, wetland, dunes, woodland and forest fringes (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997).

The breeding season begins with nest-building as early as December in Britain and mid-April is the peak time for first egg-laying. Breeding dates are similar elsewhere in Europe. The nest is built by both sexes although the female does the majority of construction. It is made from sticks and twigs, with a side entrance protected by thorny twigs. A deep cup is thickly lined with soft materials such as wool, animal fur, soft grasses and

feathers, usually placed at variable height in crown of tall tree; normally a fresh nest built each year, although in some cases an old nest may be repaired. It is omnivorous but principally a carnivorous scavenger. The diet varies according to local habitats, but generally consists of invertebrates, small mammals and lizards, frogs, bird eggs and nestlings, as well as carrion. In addition, various seeds, berries and fruits are taken seasonally. The species is resident (Madge 2009).Habitats & Altitude

Habitat (level 1 - level 2) Importance OccurrenceArtificial/Terrestrial - Arable Land suitable breedingArtificial/Terrestrial - Arable Land suitable non-breedingArtificial/Terrestrial - Pastureland suitable breedingArtificial/Terrestrial - Pastureland suitable non-breedingArtificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens suitable breedingArtificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens suitable non-breedingArtificial/Terrestrial - Urban Areas suitable breedingArtificial/Terrestrial - Urban Areas suitable non-breedingForest - Temperate suitable breedingForest - Temperate suitable non-breedingGrassland - Temperate suitable breedingGrassland - Temperate suitable non-breedingRocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) suitable breedingRocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) suitable breedingRocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) suitable non-breedingRocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) suitable non-breedingShrubland - Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation suitable breedingShrubland - Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation suitable non-breedingShrubland - Temperate suitable breedingShrubland - Temperate suitable non-breedingAltitude max. 2500 m Occasional altitudinal limits

ThreatsIn the past the species has been persecuted by gamekeepers and farmers due to its habit of raiding nests and also of feeding on ectoparasites on livestock, which sometimes results in aggravated sores for the host animal. However, persecution has fallen since the 1920s (Madge 2009).Threats & Impacts

Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and StressesBiological resource use

Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals (persecution/control)

Timing Scope Severity ImpactOngoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact

StressesSpecies mortality

ConservationConservation Actions UnderwayEU Birds Directive Annex II. There are currently no known specific conservation measures for this species.

Conservation Actions ProposedNo conservation measures are currently needed for this species.

BibliographyHagemeijer, W.J.M. and Blair, M.J. 1997. The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds: Their Distribution and Abundance. T & A D Poyser, London.Madge, S. 2009. Common Magpie (Pica pica). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. and de Juana, E. (eds.) 2014. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/60753 on 9 March 2015).

Map (see overleaf)