Field note 01
Magpies
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Eurasian magpie · Žagata
Pica pica
- Found in Latvia?
- Yes · all year
- Habitat
- Farmland, woodland edges, parks, gardens, and settlements.
- Diet
- Invertebrates, seeds, fruit, carrion, eggs, and food scraps.
Appearance and behaviour
The Eurasian magpie is a member of the crow family, recognisable by its long tail, white shoulder patches, and contrasting black plumage. In sunlight, the wings and tail show blue and green iridescence. Its harsh, rattling calls are familiar around both farms and towns.
Magpies are omnivorous and build large stick nests, often with a domed roof. They cache food and investigate changes in their surroundings. Their reputation for stealing shiny objects is better established in folklore than in research; a convenient suspect is not necessarily a guilty one.
Occurrence in Latvia
A widespread year-round resident in Latvia. Look for pairs around gardens, agricultural land, and village edges; the long tail is often the easiest feature to recognise at a distance.
Further reading: Latvian bird records.
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