Eurasian Magpie

The Eurasian magpie is a long-tailed black-and-white corvid. Adults have a glossy black head, neck and breast, pure white belly and shoulder patches, and black wings and tail that flash green, violet and reddish-purple in good light. The nominate male measures 44–46cm, more than half of it tail, and spans 52–62cm; females are slightly smaller. Asian birds can show more white in the primaries and a stronger white rump. (Wikipedia, Eurasian magpie account)

Across temperate Eurasia, Eurasian magpies favour open country with scattered trees and also breed in parks and gardens, while generally avoiding both treeless ground and dense forest. Pairs are monogamous and often retain the same territory between years. They build conspicuous domed stick nests, usually high in trees, lining the cup with earth, clay and roots. The diet is omnivorous, including insects, carrion, grain, fruit, eggs and small vertebrates. (Wikipedia, Eurasian magpie account)