How Do Magpies Spend the Winter? Learn About the Magpie's Wintering Habits

The magpie is a symbol of good fortune in China. If people hear a magpie call, they think something good is about to happen. In fact, most magpie calls are believed to herald good news and the arrival of happy events. So, how do magpies spend the winter?

1. How do magpies spend the winter?

Magpies are resident birds. They stay in place to spend the winter and do not migrate south. In winter, magpies are not afraid of the cold, not only because they have a coat of warm feathers, but also because they have a warm nest. In winter they feed on plant fruits and seeds, and also eat crops such as corn, sorghum, soybeans, peas, and wheat, as well as insects and insect eggs dormant in the soil.

2. What does a magpie look like?

The magpie is a bird in the genus Pica of the family Corvidae. Its body length is 40-50 cm. Males and females have similar plumage. The head, neck, back, and upper tail coverts are glossy black, with a slight purple tinge on the hindhead and hindneck and a slight blue-green tinge on the back. The scapulars are pure white, the rump is a mix of gray and white, the wings are black with a large white patch on the shoulder, and the bill, legs, and feet are pure black. The upper belly and flanks are pure white, the lower belly and undertail coverts are dull black, and the axillaries and underwing coverts are pale white.

3. Is the magpie a protected animal?

The magpie is a protected animal. It has been included in the "List of Terrestrial Wild Animals under State Protection That Are Beneficial or of Important Economic or Scientific Research Value" issued by China's State Forestry Administration on August 1, 2000.