Maghreb Magpie
Pica mauritanica
The Maghreb Magpie (Pica mauritanica) is a rare crows, jays, and magpi found in 4 countries, weighing about 217 g. The Maghreb magpie is a species of magpie in the genus Pica found in North Africa from Morocco east to Tunisia, at altitudes from sea level up to 2,300 metres altitude.
About the Maghreb Magpie
The Maghreb magpie is a species of magpie in the genus Pica found in North Africa from Morocco east to Tunisia, at altitudes from sea level up to 2,300 metres altitude. It can be distinguished from the Eurasian magpie by the patch of blue skin behind its eye, the narrower white belly, the shorter wings, and the longer tail.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Maghreb magpie is around 48 cm long, similar in plumage to the widespread Eurasian magpie, but with the distinct patch of vivid blue bare skin behind the eye and on the lower eye lid. The white patch on the scapular ('shoulder') feathers is smaller (though not as small as in the Asir magpie of Arabia), as is the white belly patch. The blue skin around the eye is not entirely unique, as it is also recorded occasionally in the Iberian subspecies of the Eurasian magpie Pica pica melanotos, particularly in southern Spain.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Maghreb Magpie?
- The Maghreb magpie is around 48 cm long, similar in plumage to the widespread Eurasian magpie, but with the distinct patch of vivid blue bare skin behind the eye and on the lower eye lid. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Maghreb Magpie?
- The Maghreb Magpie is a medium sized bird weighing about 217 g.
- Where can you see a Maghreb Magpie?
- The Maghreb Magpie occurs in 4 countries, including Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
- What birds look similar to a Maghreb Magpie?
- The Maghreb Magpie is most easily confused with the Black-rumped Magpie, the Asir Magpie and the Oriental Magpie.
- Is the Maghreb Magpie endangered?
- The Maghreb Magpie is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Maghreb Magpie for real
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