Birds
Eurasian Magpie
Pica pica · Coțofană
A long-tailed black-and-white crow of farmland and villages.
At a glance
- Status in Romania
- Resident
- Habitat
- Meadow / Urban
- Activity
- Morning · Daytime
- Diet
- Omnivorous and opportunistic: large insects, small mammals, reptiles, chicks and eggs, and plant food.
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Photography difficulty
- Easy to observe
Photography Guide
Practical starting points based on the species’ behaviour and habitat, not fixed rules.
- Where and how to look
- Village edges and farmland with hedges.
- Best time / activity
- Morning · Daytime
- Photography difficulty
- Easy to observe
- Ethics
- Keep away from nests, do not use playback in the breeding season, and let the bird decide how close it comes.
Identification
Black and white with a long, glossy green-blue tail and wings.
Habitat
Farmland and mixed habitats with isolated trees, shrubs or copses; avoids completely open land without trees.
Distribution
Across Romania except the high mountains.
Approximate range in Romania
Diet
Omnivorous and opportunistic: large insects, small mammals, reptiles, chicks and eggs, and plant food.
Behaviour
Builds a large domed stick nest.
Seasonality in Romania
Breeds in Romania and is resident.
- JanPresent
- FebPresent
- MarPresent
- AprPresent
- MayPresent
- JunPresent
- JulPresent
- AugPresent
- SepPresent
- OctPresent
- NovPresent
- DecPresent
Source-verified months inform the seasonal filters. Local timing can vary. Unconfirmed months do not imply absence. * Event timing retained from the earlier entry, not yet source-verified.
Breeding
Egg-laying begins in April; nest building starts earlier. 2–8 eggs.