What is the function of the magpie's tail, and what are its main subspecies?

The magpie is fairly widely distributed, being found everywhere except South America, Oceania and Antarctica. In China, the magpie is an omen of good fortune; if a magpie enters the house, good things are about to arrive. In ancient times, there was also the custom of painting magpies to draw good fortune. However, magpies are now seen relatively rarely, and the species is listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species 2012 ver 3.1——Least Concern (LC). Let us take a look below at what the magpie's tail is for and what its main subspecies are.

1. What is the magpie's tail for?

The magpie's tail is wedge-shaped and relatively long; its main function is to keep the body balanced when the bird flies and jumps. It is known that the magpie is a lively and active bird, often hopping about in trees or flying back and forth among the woods, mostly gliding, from tree to tree and from mountain to valley.

The magpie has a fairly strong ability to adapt to its environment; whether wilderness or farmland, whether suburbs or cities, it can survive well. Magpies like to appear in places with a lot of human activity; they generally come out to forage during the day and roost at night, and often build their nests in large trees beside houses.

2. What are the main subspecies of the magpie?

1. Magpie East Asian subspecies

The Magpie East Asian subspecies is a medium-sized variety, distributed in southeastern Russia (Ussuriland), the northeastern tip of China and South Korea. The Magpie East Asian subspecies mainly inhabits plains, hills and low mountain areas; in summer it feeds mainly on insects and other animal food, while in other seasons it feeds mainly on plant fruits and seeds. The Magpie East Asian subspecies begins building its nest and breeding every year from January to April.

2. Magpie Xinjiang subspecies

The Magpie Xinjiang subspecies is distributed in eastern Europe, Iraq, the Iranian plateau, Pakistan, India and other countries and regions. In China it is found in Hami, Hejing, Wushi, Bachu, Turpan, Aksu, Kashgar, Shule, Maigaiti, Aktash, Jigen, Kudi, Kuitun, Urumqi, Wusu, Huocheng, Xinyuan, Qinghe, Yining, Fuhai, Altay, Burqin and Habahe in Xinjiang, and in western Tibet.

3. Magpie Qinghai-Tibet subspecies

The Magpie Qinghai-Tibet subspecies is distributed in Bhutan, Sikkim, India and other countries and regions. In China it is found in Wuwei, Zhangye and Tianzhu in Gansu; the Qaidam Basin, Delingha, Menyuan, Jianzha, Guide, Tianjun, Yushu, Zhiduo and Qumalai in Qinghai; Danba, Qianning, Dege, Litang and Zoige in Sichuan; and Lhasa, Batang, Shigatse, Nagarze, Qamdo, Leimqi, Baxoi, Mangkang, Mainling, Jiayu, Quzong and Tingri in Tibet.

4. Magpie Kamchatka subspecies

The Magpie Kamchatka subspecies is distributed in the northern Sea of Okhotsk, the Kamchatka Peninsula and Anadyrland in the Russian Far East.

5. Magpie Scandinavian subspecies

The Magpie Scandinavian subspecies is distributed in northern Scandinavia, Finland, and from the northeastern Baltic region to western Siberia.