Common Green Magpie

Quick Take

• This vivid green bird is covered in bright colors, yet somehow it disappears entirely in its forest habitat. See the camouflage fact →
• Small enough to hold in two hands, this bird has a predator strategy that makes foxes and birds of prey think twice. Discover its defense tactics →
• Its diet is far more ruthless than its cheerful green appearance suggests. Explore its carnivorous diet →
• Despite a shrinking population, this species holds a conservation status that surprises most people who hear it. Check its conservation status →

The common green magpie is a medium-sized member of the crow family native to the lower Himalayas and Southeast Asia. This species inhabits lowland bamboo forests and wetlands, where it spends its days hunting insects, reptiles, and mammals. You will often find this bird pecking at dead animals on the forest floor or perched high in a tree. They are also superb fliers that will attack intruders, using their sharp bills as weapons.

5 Amazing Common Green Magpie Facts

• Common green magpies blend with their surroundings, despite their brightly colored plumage.
• One of their most notable features is the broad black bands across their eyes.
• They are excellent fliers and can reach up to 20 mph.
• These birds are strict carnivores who eat anything they can get their beaks on, including dead animals and bird eggs.
• Magpies are aggressive when threatened, often “dive-bombing” at intruders and using their sharp bills to peck.

Where to Find the Common Green Magpie

Common green magpies live in eleven countries in Asia, including Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. They live in habitats such as evergreen forests, bamboo forests, clearings, and scrublands. They need areas with plenty of vegetation for cover and nest protection. You may also spot them in wetlands or forests near streams and rivers in subtropical lowlands. While their plumage features bright colors, they are surprisingly camouflaged against their forest habitats. Look for them perched high in trees near their nest, flying around in search of prey, or pecking at their food on the ground. A great way to find them is to listen for their loud, harsh calls.

Classification and Scientific Name

The common green magpie (Cissa chinensis) is from the Corvidae family, encompassing over 130 species, including crows and ravens. Its genus, Cissa, includes magpies that inhabit tropical and subtropical Southeast Asian regions. This magpie has five recognized subspecies.

Size, Appearance, & Behavior

The common green magpie is a medium-sized bird, measuring 14 to 15 inches long and weighing 4.5 ounces, with an unknown wingspan. Those in the wild are bright green on top and a lighter green on their undersides, with a thick black stripe running across their eyes (from bill to nape). Their tails are long with white tips, and their wings are a deep maroon. A bright red color adorns their bills, legs, and the rims around their eyes. Not much is known about their social behavior, but they typically mate for life and share a nesting territory with their partner. These birds are known for being loud, with their harsh “peep-peep” calls. They may also whistle and chatter with each other. They are excellent fliers and can reach speeds up to 20 mph.

Diet

Common green magpies are strictly carnivorous and will eat almost anything.

What Does the Common Green Magpie Eat?

These magpies eat invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, young birds, bird eggs, and even dead animals (carrion). They hunt for prey while flying or on the ground, often attacking bird nests and stealing their young. You may catch them picking at dead creatures like crows and mammals on the forest floor.

Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

The IUCN lists the common green magpie as LC or “least concern.” Despite their decreasing population, the species does not reach the threshold for “threatened” status due to its extensive range. Their biggest threats include habitat loss and overhunting.

What Eats the Common Green Magpie?

Their main predators include birds of prey, foxes, and other small mammals. The common green magpie has few predators due to its aggressive behavior. When threatened, it will dive-bomb predators and peck with its sharp bill. They may also swoop without snapping their beak, or launch front-on attacks from the ground.

Reproduction, Young, and Molting

Green magpies form long-term pair bonds and build their nest in trees, shrubs, or tangles of climbing vines. Females lay four to six eggs and incubate them for 18 to 19 days, while the males bring food. Both parents feed the nestlings, and they leave the nest at around 25 days old. Magpies live an average of 10 to 12 years in the wild, and up to 15 years in captivity.

Population

The global population for the common green magpie is unknown, but it appears to be locally common to uncommon. However, their population is experiencing a decline due to habitat loss and unsustainable levels of hunting.