Magpie Nesting (All You Need To Know)

Magpies are important members of the wise Corvidae family, with about 17 species distributed over most of the world. The most common magpies are the Eurasian magpie and the black-billed magpie, which are widely distributed in the northern hemisphere. Like many birds, magpies are very stealthy in their nesting behavior. Here is a magpie nesting guide.

Magpies build large and impressive nests. Unlike most bird nests, which are open at the top, many magpies build domed nests with side doors. The domes are glued together with dirt and moss and can take weeks to build. A well-constructed nest built by an experienced pair of magpies can be 50 to 75 cm wide and high.

Like all corvids, magpies are very shrewd and intelligent birds. In fact, they’re some of the smartest creatures on Earth — they can recognize their own shape in a mirror, and they’re capable of solving advanced logical and creative problems. Magpies’ intelligence shines through in their nests, which are often strong and well designed.

But, of course, there is still a lot to learn about magpie nesting. Read on to discover more magpie nesting facts and behaviors!

a large magpie nest

Where do magpies nest?

Magpies are flexible birds that can nest in a variety of places, but they prefer tall, dense trees and dense, thorny bushes. Like most corvids, magpies usually prefer to build their nests in tall trees, 10 meters or more, but they are well adapted to their local environment.

Although magpies are most common in rural, semi-rural and agricultural settings, they also frequently nest in towns, cities and parks. In these cases, magpies will often leave their preferred dome-shaped nests for a simpler, open-topped nest.

A study of black-billed magpie nests found that about 30 percent were open-topped rather than domed.

What does a magpie’s nest look like?

The nests of Eurasian and black-billed magpies are large, bulky structures with a dome shape.

They’re made of twigs and twigs and have a “clay cup” inside, usually built before anything else. Mud was used to secure the initial structure to the tree. The domed magpie nest has a side door and looks a bit like a wooden house hanging from the trees. However, not all magpie nests are domed – some are open.

Tropical and subtropical magpies urine sisa and Sisa Often simpler platform-like nests are built rather than large domed ones.

magpies nesting

How big is a magpie’s nest?

Magpies’ nests can be very large. For example, the nest size of black-billed magpie and Eurasian magpie is about 50 x 75 cm.

These large dome-shaped nests usually have a side door, but they may be open at the top.

What time of year do magpies build their nests?

In the UK and North America, magpies may start nesting as early as December.

Egg laying usually begins in late March and April, but magpies in the northern hemisphere prefer to nest well in advance of the breeding season.

Magpies primarily nest during the spring and spring breeding season until late summer or early fall, when they migrate or join wintering flocks or roosts.

A pair of magpies feeding chicks in their nest

How long do magpies build nests?

Magpies in the Northern Hemisphere start nesting in the winter before the spring breeding season. So, they usually complete the nest by March at the latest.

Female magpies usually lay their first brood in April – and they will build nests whenever they need to rear their young to feather them. Most pairs have only one litter per year.

How do magpies build their nests?

Magpies are very intelligent birds and their nests are elaborate. The two birds work together to build the nest, but the male usually delivers material to the nest while the female builds it. Once enough material is available on site, the two birds will build the nest together.

Most magpie nests start on a solid platform or “mud cup.” This will anchor the base of the nest to the tree. The magpies would then build domes out of twigs and sticks – the walls can be around 75cm high. Once the dome was slightly sealed from the top, the birds fixed the structure with more dirt and moss. Finally, the nest is covered with soft materials such as moss, animal fur, and feathers.

In Europe, the Eurasian magpie either first builds a mud base on which the dome sits, or creates a rough 3D structure with twigs and twigs before filling its interior. Magpies appear to have two distinct “modes” of nesting, leading researchers to believe that one mode may be superior to the other in specific habitats.

Not all nests are domed. For example, in the black-billed magpie in the United States, about 30 percent of nests are open-topped.

Nest building can take about 1 to 8 weeks. However, experienced couples usually start early and build larger, sturdier dens than younger couples. Making 3D dome structures is not easy, and many pairs employ more straightforward nests. Domes are not essential for nest survival – many magpies have successfully raised offspring in open-topped nests.

Magpies gathering nesting material to build a nest

When does the baby magpie leave the nest?

After about 26 to 30 days, the young magpies will have fledged their feathers, at which point they will usually leave the nest and wander to nearby tree branches.

Baby magpies stay with their parents for one to two months and do not leave their parental territory until the fall and winter after the breeding season. After that, magpie families may remain close for many years, with some cubs staying behind to help their parents raise their offspring for the coming year.

How many nests do magpies have?

Magpies almost always have only one brood. However, if their brood fails early in the season, they will usually try to start another brood. A small percentage of magpies keep more than one brood a season.

Where there are many magpies in a habitat, not all of them will reproduce due to competition for nesting sites. In the UK, for example, as much as 25% to 60% of all magpies in a given habitat may delay breeding until the following year if suitable nesting sites cannot be found.

a large magpie nest

Do magpies nest in the same place every year?

Black-billed and Eurasian magpies often reuse nests, or nest in the same territory. About 30% to 40% of magpie nests in the United States are reused and upcycled.

In Europe, Eurasian magpies either return to the same territory to nest, or reuse last year’s nest. Most magpies are sedentary, remaining in their breeding grounds for most of the year.

What do magpie eggs look like?

Magpie eggs are pale blue or blue-green with spotted olive-brown markings, usually concentrated at one end.

Eggs measure approximately 35mm by 24mm. Clutches contain 2 to 6 eggs, but 3 or 4 are more common.

A nest of seven magpie eggs

What month does the magpie lay eggs

In most parts of the northern hemisphere, magpies lay their eggs during the typical spring breeding season, which runs from late March until June or July.

In the UK, most magpies lay their eggs in April. In the United States, spawning varies by state, with some black-billed magpies laying eggs as late as June. In subtropical and tropical regions, magpies can lay eggs year-round.

Do magpies use nest boxes?

Magpies don’t use nest boxes — they prefer tall or dense trees or shrubs. However, magpies have been known to raid the nest boxes of other birds’ eggs and chicks.

Magpies are opportunistic omnivores that occasionally feed on songbird eggs and chicks. It’s not as common as many people think, and it’s the natural behavior of opportunistic omnivores anyway. Magpies and other corvids do not usually affect songbird populations.

Paradoxically, some studies have even found a correlation between increases in corvid populations and increases in songbird populations. Maybe the crows scare off predators that are more troublesome to the songbirds than themselves.

A magpie (Pica pica) sits on a nest full of chicks

Where do magpies nest at night?

In winter, magpies usually roost in groups. In summer, magpies sleep in perches close to their nests. During the hatching and initial brooding of the chicks, either the male or the female sleeps on the nest at night.

Magpies are usually aloof during the breeding season. After the breeding season ends, pairs of magpies form large overwintering flocks of more than 20 individuals. Magpies usually mate for life, and they join the flock in pairs.

Do magpies nest in the garden?

Magpies nest in most places, including gardens. Magpies can be found everywhere, from towns to parks, forests, farmlands and swamps.

Magpies are common garden birds in North America, Europe, and Asia. Like crows, magpies are not always popular as garden birds because of their aggressiveness and ability to eat other birds’ eggs and chicks.

However, this is natural behavior and in most cases, magpies and other corvids do not usually reduce the number of songbirds in their habitat. In fact, some studies have found that magpies and crows paradoxically increase local songbird populations.