Iberian Magpie

Overview

The Iberian magpie (Cyanopica cooki) is a bird in the crow family that resembles the Eurasian magpie but is slenderer with proportionately smaller legs and bill. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Measures 31–35 cm in length with a long tail of 16–20 cm.
• Features a glossy black head, white throat, and light grey-fawn underparts and back.
• Wings and tail feathers are a distinct azure blue.

Habitat

Found in the southwestern and central Iberian Peninsula, with occasional sightings in south-western France and north-western Italy. It inhabits coniferous, mainly pine, and broadleaf forests, as well as parks and gardens in eastern populations.

Diet

Primarily eats acorns and pine nuts, supplemented by invertebrates, their larvae, soft fruits, berries, and human-provided scraps. The species often forages in family groups or flocks of up to 70 birds, with the largest congregations occurring after the breeding season and during winter.

Did you know?

Although the species was formerly considered the same as the azure-winged magpie found in eastern Asia, that population is located 9,000 km away. Genetic analysis has since confirmed that the Iberian and azure-winged magpies are distinct species.