Nimbin Rainbow Walk

Australian Magpie

kool boo kool bum (Bundjalung name)

Gymnorhina tibicen

Songs & Calls

A loud musical flute-like song, often performed as a duet or by groups. Bird call recorded by: Fred Van Gessel

Local Notes

The Australian Magpie is widespread, one of the country’s best known and recognised birds. The Magpie has always been part of my life – swooped whilst I walked to school, the emblem of my Scout patrol and more recently as a tattoo on my right leg. The birds live in family groups within a complex social system and have a beautifully rich and distinctively melodious song.

by Malcom Scott

Bird Overview

The iconic Australian Magpie is a medium-sized black-and-white bird. Widespread in Australia from backyards to open forests, magpies are best known for their warbling song. Although the Australian Magpie is generally quite tame, some individuals become aggressive towards intruders, including humans, who venture too close to their nest sites.

Identification

The Australian Magpie is a heavyset, black-and-white bird with a prominent wedge-shaped bill. The plumage varies in pattern across its range. The nape, upper tail and shoulder of male birds are entirely white in males. Female birds have variably mottled grey backs. Across most of Australia, the rest of the body is black. In the southeast, centre, extreme southwest and Tasmania, the back and rump are entirely white. The eye of adult birds is chestnut brown.