The magpie (Corvus monedula) is a dark bird that from afar appears completely black. From up close we can see that this is not the case, and the magpie is actually dark gray, the wings and forehead being the darkest, the belly and chest somewhat lighter, the nape and neck the lightest—light gray. The light, grayish-white eye is clearly visible and characteristic only of the magpie. Its beak is also noticeably shorter than in other crow species. It is about as large as a jackdaw, measuring 30 to 34 cm in length, with a wingspan of 64 to 73 cm.
The magpie prefers to nest near humans, in holes in houses, church towers, and other buildings, less often also in tree hollows in parks or in deciduous forests. Originally, it nested in mixed and deciduous forests, mainly in the hollows of rook nests. A pair of magpies forms a lifelong bond, and the partners are usually together most of the time. When they perch on the edge of a roof or on a chimney, they show affection toward each other as two freshly in love. The magpie is a resident species, only populations nesting in northern Europe retreat somewhat south before winter. Magpies are very social birds, which, especially in autumn, at sunset like to gather in larger flocks and then spend the night in their favorite park or tree-lined avenue. In areas where magpies are not persecuted, they become quite at home and fear humans not at all. As far as food is concerned, they are not picky at all. They are omnivores. They feed on seeds, fruit and other fruits, as well as earthworms, caterpillars, eggs, bird chicks, and small mammals.
It is estimated that in Europe, which accounts for more than half of the magpie's range, more than 5,200,000 pairs nest. The largest populations in European countries remain stable, so the magpie in Europe is not classified as a threatened species. In Slovenia it is threatened by the loss of suitable nesting sites, so it is listed in the Slovenian Red List as a vulnerable species; on natural nesting sites it is critically endangered.
