“Wintering birds” (introduction to the magpie) methodological development for speech development (senior group) on the topic

Kinds

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The genus Soroki includes three species:

Pica hudsonia - American magpie

An American magpie walks through the grass
Appearance: body length – up to 50 centimeters, wingspan – 90 centimeters. Externally identical to the Common Magpie.

Distribution: Found in the USA and Mexico.

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Features: feeds on rodents and cacti. The nest builds without a roof. The bird is semantically related to the Californian magpie and forms a single subgenus with it.

Pica nuttalli - California magpie

California magpie resting on a branch
Appearance: black and white plumage, yellow beak and eye ring.

Distribution: The magpie lives in the California valley, hills and mountains.

Features: California magpie is susceptible to viral diseases. 15 years ago, West Nile virus killed half of the entire population.

Pica pica - common magpie or European magpie

The European Magpie looks thoughtfully into the distance.
Appearance: a bird with traditional black and white plumage.

Distribution: the common magpie inhabits Europe and Russia, excluding the northeastern regions.

Features: the magpie is a typical representative of the bird family, inhabiting the cities and villages of Russia.

Types of magpies

When listing the types of magpies, one cannot fail to mention the blue magpie. In appearance it resembles an ordinary magpie, but its weight is much less and its color is more solid. The top of the head of such a bird is black with a purple or blue metallic tint. The back, rump and shoulder parts are light gray or ocher-gray. This type of magpie has a fragmented range. It can be found in Southwestern Europe - on the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in East Asia - from Transbaikalia to Eastern China, Japan and Korea.

Read also: Interesting facts about guinea pigs, features, appearance, character

The Chinese azure magpie is most common in Asia: from East Pakistan and the foothills of the Himalayas to the Greater Sunda Islands. The lifespan of a magpie is of the same type as that of an ordinary magpie. This is a sedentary bird species that densely inhabits mountain forests.

Appearance

Photo of a magpie on a stump
The magpie has a slender, elongated body; long fan-shaped tail; short, narrow, pointed at the end wings; small head and thick, curved beak. The paws are long, four-toed, the fourth toe points backward, which allows the bird to cling tightly to branches and maintain a stable position.

Magpie walks on green grass

The plumage of the magpie is two-colored: the head, neck, chest and back are blue-black. Violet and green shades are noticeable in the sun. The long tail is black. The belly and shoulders are white. Sometimes the wings along the border are also painted white. The eyes are black, the beak is dark gray, the legs are gray-brown.

The color of young birds also contains white and black, but the plumage is not as bright and contrasting as that of adult magpies. In spring, birds begin to molt. At this time, magpies look faded, some of the feathers fall out and patches of skin are visible here and there. By the beginning of summer, birds grow new dense matte feathers of rich, uniform color.

Photo of a magpie on a stone

The plumage of magpies of both sexes is identical, so it is almost impossible to distinguish a female magpie from a male. However, there are differences in size between birds: the male magpie is one and a half times larger than the female.

Origin of the species and description

Photo: Soroka

The magpie, also known as the common magpie or, as it is sometimes called the European magpie, is a fairly well-known bird from the corvid family of the passerine order. With its name, it also gave the name to the genus of magpies, which also includes some exotic species that are similar to ordinary magpies in body structure, but differ from them in bright and variegated colors. The Latin name of the species is Pica pica. The closest relatives of these birds are crows and jays.

The time of origin of magpies and their separation from other corvids is not known for certain. The earliest fossil records of corvid-like birds date back to the Middle Miocene and are about 17 million years old. They were discovered on the territory of modern France and Germany. From this we can assume that the division of the family into species occurred much later.

Video: Magpie

Now ornithologists proceed from the assumption that magpies as a species appeared in Europe, and gradually spread across Eurasia, and then in the late Pleistocene they entered the territory of modern North America through the Bering Strait. However, fossils were found in Texas that were more reminiscent of the modern European magpie than the Californian subspecies, so there was a version that the common magpie could have appeared as a species already in the Pliocene, that is, about 2-5 million years ago, but in any case not earlier this time.

Today, at least 10 subspecies of magpie are known. Distinctive features of common magpies are their long tail and black and white coloration.

What do magpies eat?

Magpie flies with prey in its beak
Magpies feed on food of animal origin. They are indiscriminate in their food and feed on all the small animals that come their way. In spring, magpies feed on caterpillars, worms, and beetle larvae; in summer - all kinds of insects; In winter, magpies feed on food waste. When there is a shortage of food, birds eat cereal seeds, bread crumbs, sunflower seeds, and the fruits of various trees. Adult magpies sometimes hunt small rodents and lizards. They kill their victims with a blow from their powerful beak.

Magpies are known predators of other people's nests. Where the magpie family lives, other small birds usually do not live, since the magpies simply eat them. In spring and early summer, magpies plunder the nests of passerines and waterfowl. They feast on the eggs and chicks of sparrows, ducks, coots, quails and partridges.

Two magpies are eating on a tree branch

Magpies cause a lot of trouble to rural residents. In search of food, birds fly to farmyards and attack chickens and ducklings. Magpies often steal chicken eggs. It is extremely difficult to catch magpies stealing, since these birds behave only in cases where they are not in danger. Magpies steal eggs from the chicken coop while the chickens are feeding. In a few minutes, forty manages to crack a chicken egg and drink it right “at the crime scene.” Many farmers ask the question: “what to do if a magpie steals eggs?” Birds can be scared away from the yard by a stuffed animal in the form of a person or all kinds of rattles and scarecrows (magpies are afraid of noise).

Magpie is a smart bird. When full, she will not throw away the remaining food, but will hide it in a secluded place. In case of hunger, she will remember her reserves. The bird never forgets about its hiding places; its intelligence allows it to quickly find hidden food.

Magpies eat grains

At home, magpies eat leftover human food, chicken and beef, fish, vegetables and fruits. Magpie chicks feed on worm and beetle larvae, small caterpillars, flies and grasshoppers.

Why was the bird called magpie?

Magpie on an iron fence
Magpie was named so for the sounds this bird makes. In the ancient Slavic dictionary, the word “welding” was used to define this bird, a derivative of “sverchati” - that is, “cricket” or “cricket”. As you know, the magpie makes a characteristic chirping sound - “chirping”.

Spreading

Area

Photo of a magpie in nature
Magpies live in Eurasia, Africa, and North America. Most of the population is concentrated in Europe and Central Asia. Birds do not live in the north of the continent. Many magpie families live in Greece and the islands of the Mediterranean Sea. Magpies also inhabit some areas of North Africa - the coastal areas of Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. In America, these birds live in the western part - in California, Oregon and Alaska. In Canada, magpies are found in British Columbia.

Habitats

A magpie and a sparrow are sitting on an iron railing.
Magpies nest in open areas rich in small animals. Birds choose forest plantations or the outskirts of bush thickets to live. These birds are rare in large forests. Magpies settle near villages and cities, some inhabit city parks and squares. In winter, magpies live near human habitation, as this makes it easier to find food.

Behavior in nature

This is a very active, restless bird that can fly a considerable distance in search of food. Doesn't hesitate to destroy other people's nests. She avoids people because she is very careful. She is known for her amazing intellectual abilities: she can recognize her own reflection in the mirror and people’s faces.

Where does he live?

Magpies are often found in gardens and parks. They are widespread in Russia, Asia, Europe, northern Africa and North America. It prefers open spaces, but when threatened, it can hide in dense forest thickets.

Diet and food

They are omnivores and can eat both plant and animal food. Insects, small rodents, bird eggs, fruits, fruits, berries - this is what the magpie eats.

Beautiful birds can cause serious harm, destroying vegetable gardens and fields.

Features of hatching chicks

Birds often form strong pairs for life, build excellent nests, and both partners do this work. The magpie's nest is most often of impressive size and is equipped with a “roof” of dry twigs for protection from precipitation.

Note! The main material used for construction is grass and branches; the structure is coated with clay on top, making it very durable.

Egg laying begins at the end of April - the first days of May. The clutch includes 8 eggs, only the female does the incubation, the babies are born after 18 days.

The chicks stay with their parents for up to a month, feeding them insects and later small birds.

Looking at magpie chicks, it is difficult to imagine that in a couple of months they will turn into beautiful black and white birds.

Wintering or migratory

Many people are interested in whether the magpie is a wintering or migratory bird. This bird does not migrate, preferring to winter in its main habitat. However, those birds that live in northern latitudes can fly to warmer regions for the winter and return to their place in the spring.

Voice of the Magpie

Magpie calls
When communicating with each other, magpies use chirping sounds consisting of a series of syllables “chuck-kak-shak” or “shack-shack-shack”. The loud voice of a magpie is a warning signal. If the tempo of the chirping is fast and sharp, it means that danger is looming over the flock of birds. Hearing the warning cry, the birds fly away. A prolonged cry means that there may be a predatory animal nearby and the birds need to be on alert. The magpie's voice is ringing, hoarse and loud.

During the mating season, magpies use various intonations and sound forms in conversations with their fellows. So, for example, to indicate territory, the magpie calls “kia-kia” or “kick-kick.” Protecting the nest from uninvited guests, the magpie loudly shouts “chakr-chakr”, “chikr-chikr” or “chara-chara”.

Magpie on the edge of a stone

To attract a partner, the bird makes quiet melodic sounds in different tones. Rhythmic singing can become arrhythmic, a low timbre is replaced by a high one, a soft trill alternates with abrupt menacing exclamations.

Chicks demanding food squeal in a shrill voice “pirr-pirr”. Young birds that have already separated from their parents are characterized by their own singing. When communicating with adult birds, they use two-syllable calls “yshiyak”, “chyuk” or “chew-yok”.

Magpie is a migratory or wintering bird

A magpie took off from a tree branch
. Magpies are not migratory birds. They never fly away from the nesting site for a long time. In the autumn, wintering magpie birds gather in flocks and fly to the outskirts of cities and villages, as it is easier to find food there.

Magpie in flight

Despite the fact that magpies are sedentary birds, they still make periodic migrations within the perimeter of their habitat. As the sun sets, magpies living in the same area fly to a common roost. Magpies wait out the night in large flocks in windless, secluded bush thickets near water bodies. Neighboring birds gather for a mass roost in the same place during the autumn-winter period. Some of them fly to their “apartment” many kilometers from their permanent place of residence. Daily migrations stop in the spring, with the onset of the nesting period.

Habits and behavioral characteristics

The magpie is a bird whose gait is unique and special. On the ground it moves mainly in leaps and along the branches of trees it also moves in leaps, and it does this very quickly and deftly. In flight, the bird glides in waves.

Her voice is not melodious, but you can hear her quite often. They chirp in a rather specific way, and it is impossible to confuse this voice with the sounds of other birds. Magpie chirping often serves as a signal for other birds, for example, abrupt and rapid sounds appear when danger arises. Birds fly away at such sounds.

It has also been noted that with the sounds “kick” or “kia” the magpie indicates that this is its territory. The voice of the magpie bird says a lot not only to the birds, but also to all the inhabitants of the forest. For example, they can notify of the approach of a hunter.

Lifestyle

Magpie near the feeder
Magpies prefer to live separately from their relatives. Sometimes the birds gather in groups of 6-8 birds, but this does not last long - until the young animals mature up to a year and separate from the family. The rest of the time, magpies live in pairs. Bird nests are placed at a distance of 100-300 meters from each other. Such close proximity allows birds to promptly warn each other about danger.

Lonely magpie on a branch

Magpies move across the surface not in steps, but in jumps. They jump on both legs at once. When moving, the bird's tail is raised up. The birds take off from their place. The flight of the magpie is smooth and maneuverable. During the flight, the bird opens its wings, straightens its tail, points its head forward, and bends its paws. In the air, the bird prefers to glide; its flight speed is 35-40 kilometers per hour.

It is known that magpies are cunning, dexterous and agile birds. If there is not enough food, then the birds look for food in vegetable gardens and farmyards.

Photo of a magpie high on a tree

Birds can easily outwit a pet and steal something edible from its bowl. Sometimes birds forage for food in groups of 2-3 birds. While two magpies are distracting a chicken or a dog, the third one is feeding. Then the roles change.

Magpies are curious, but at the same time cautious, prudent birds. It has been noticed that these birds are able to build logical chains, remember information, and easily avoid traps. Birds do not openly steal: they first make sure that nothing threatens them, and only then they grab the thing or food they like and immediately fly away.

Pensive Magpie

Magpies are known for their passion for shiny things. These birds drag candy wrappers, sparkles, pebbles and glass sparkling in the sun into the nest. Ornithologists cannot say what motivates these birds in such collecting. But one thing is clear: the magpie’s ability to collect everything shiny formed the basis for the phrase “like a magpie,” that is, “a person who loves everything shiny - like a magpie.” True, experiments in recent years have made it possible to doubt that the magpie deliberately chooses only shiny objects. Researchers say that if a magpie is offered a choice of things, including one that is shiny, the bird will not always choose that one.

Reproduction

Female and male magpies
At the end of February, magpies begin their breeding season. Magpies gather at old nests and begin repairs. If the nest is severely destroyed, the magpies build a new one, but in a different place.

Nest

In the photo - magpies make nests
Magpies make nests on thin trees or bushes at a height of 3-6 meters on the ground. Despite the fact that the bird's nest seems accessible, predatory animals cannot reach it due to the fragile support on which the magpie's house rests.

A magpie's nest is a complex architectural structure. Unlike the nests of other birds, the magpie's has a roof. From a distance, the dwelling looks like a large ball assembled from dry branches. The frame of a magpie's nest is built from strong rods intertwined with each other. The roof of the bird is made from thin and flexible branches.

Photo of magpie eggs in a nest

The entrance is located in the side wall. The bottom of the bird's nest is smeared with clay or damp earth - such material will make the home even stronger. On top of the dried earthen floor there is a layer of leaves, thin young branches and roots. The female lays eggs on top of the woody layer.

Magpie chicks

Small magpie chicks
The female magpie lays 6-8 eggs. Magpie eggs look small, the shell is greenish with a brown spot. Incubation is done exclusively by the female. After 18-20 days, tiny naked chicks are born. Both parents are involved in heating and feeding the young. Adult birds take turns bringing worms and caterpillars to the hungry chicks. In the first days of life, the cubs have an increased appetite, so the chicks constantly demand food, squealing around the area. By the age of one month, the chicks have grown enough to look for food on their own. At this time, the magpies already master the technique of flight, but continue to stay close to their parents for at least another two months. By the following spring, the young birds separate from their parents and start a family.

Magpie at home

A man holds a magpie in his hand and feeds it.
A wild bird like a magpie can become a pet. These birds quickly get used to humans and adapt to the surrounding conditions. Fed by humans, adult magpies recognize their owner by sight, become tame, feed from hands and do not fly away from him for long.

Magpie chicks at home

You can only tame a magpie that fell into human hands as a chick. Magpie cubs are easy to feed, as these birds are omnivores. Homemade food is suitable as food - fish and meat, bread, fruits and vegetables, berries and nuts. In order not to harm the fragile body, it is better to give food raw, without using any spices. Two-week-old chicks eat up to ten times a day, menstruation - three to four times. You need to feed the magpie in small pieces. Sometimes you can give cottage cheese and eggs. It is strictly forbidden to give poultry pork and white bread. Poultry needs vitamins, especially in the autumn-winter period.

An impudent magpie tries to steal food from a child

Magpies love to take a bath - by bathing, the birds cleanse their feathers and skin of parasites. This must be remembered when arranging an enclosure or cage for your pet. By the way, many magpie keepers do not limit the life of birds to a cage and allow their pets to move freely around the house. However, according to the observations of zoologists, the bird feels more comfortable in a cage and behaves calmer than when it lives in an open space.

About the magpie who never said “please” to anyone

A fairy tale about a magpie for children who do not say polite words.

Once upon a time there lived a magpie. Fidgety. And very rude. He won't say a kind word to anyone. He doesn’t say hello to anyone or say goodbye. If he hits someone on the head with his wing, he won’t apologize. If they give her something, she will never say thank you. And since she didn’t say polite words, she eventually forgot them all. I didn’t know a single word. That's how I lived. Only then one day another magpie flew into the forest. Polite to the point of impossibility. And he greets everyone, and says goodbye, and even apologizes a hundred times a day. And this magpie had beads. Beautiful, beautiful. Bright red. Someone in town gave them to her. The rude magpie liked these beads so much! She wanted to steal them away on the sly. And the polite magpie pressed down the beads with its paw and said: “Sorry!” But it's mine! The rude one then wanted to take it away by force. But the polite one turned out to be stronger. “Sorry,” he says, “but I won’t give you the beads.” - What a greedy person! - said the rude magpie angrily. - I'm sorry, but I'm not greedy at all! Now, if you asked politely... - Give me the beads! - It is not polite! We must say polite words! Even just one word! - Which? - the rude magpie was surprised. - I don’t remember a single one! “We need to remember,” the polite magpie shook her head. - Remember - come. I spent the whole day remembering forty polite words. She really wanted to get the beads. But the words, as luck would have it, are not remembered. She began to ask the other birds what polite words they remembered. The crow said "thank you." Wagtail - “goodbye!” Sparrow - “be healthy.” I typed forty different words and flew to the owner of the beads.

- Hello! - shouts from the doorway. - Goodbye, give me the beads! - What? — the polite woman was surprised. - Not that word? OK! Be healthy, give me some beads! Wrong again? Well, okay... Thank you, give me the beads! Happy New Year, give me some beads! Good night, give me the beads! “Well, that’s what,” said the polite magpie, “indeed, good night!” And the beads, with your permission, will remain with me. - But why? - the rude magpie almost cried. “I’ve spoken so many polite words to you!” - Yes, but they were all the wrong words! You only need one thing, but the right one! - I don’t remember him! - Remember! - I can't! - Try it! - Well, please help me remember this word! “So we remembered,” the polite magpie smiled. - A? What? - the rude one was surprised, who was now not rude at all, because she remembered so many polite words. - Is it true? Please? - Certainly. - Wow! Well, thank you. - You're welcome... - And... and... give me the beads. Please. “Please,” the polite magpie nodded and handed bright red beads to another polite magpie.

From the book “Tales about Vredin”

Author Yulia Kuznetsova

The site contains a fragment of the book permitted by law (no more than 20% of the text) and intended for informational purposes only. You can purchase the full version of the book from our partners.

Interesting Facts

Photo of a magpie looking into the distance

1. Magpie - able to recognize herself in the mirror.
2. The entrance to the magpie's nest faces south to keep the home warmer.
3. The magpie builds up to 8 nests, and then chooses the best one from them.
4. Extra nests are needed to distract predators.
5. In the Middle Ages, church ministers believed that magpies personified evil spirits. In the 14th century, Metropolitan Alexei even forbade birds from flying into the city for this reason.
6. In China, the magpie is revered and considered the bird of happiness.
7. In Rus' it was customary to call talkative women magpies.

Where does the magpie live?

Photo: Magpie animal

The habitats of magpies are mostly located in Eurasia, with the exception of its northeastern part, but there is an isolated population in Kamchatka. Magpies are found throughout Europe from Spain and Greece to the Scandinavian Peninsula. These birds are absent only from some of the islands in the Mediterranean Sea. In Asia, birds settle south of 65° north latitude, and closer to the east, the northern border of the magpie’s habitat gradually retreats south to 50° north latitude.

Birds inhabit the northern parts of Africa, very close to Europe, to a limited extent - mainly the coastal regions of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. In the Western Hemisphere, magpies are found only in North America, in its western regions from Alaska to California.

Typical habitats for magpies are open spaces suitable for foraging for food. But at the same time, they must be near trees or bushes so that they can build a large nest. Very rare in large forests. The Magpie can be considered a typical resident of rural areas. She loves to settle in the vicinity of meadows and fields, surrounded by bushes and forest belts. But magpies are also found in city parks and alleys, which is associated with a simpler search for food in cities in winter conditions in the form of waste and food leftovers. Sometimes birds settle along highways or railways.

Magpies never leave their homes for long. Yes, sometimes they can gather in small flocks and move from a village or field to a small town for the winter to make it easier to find food, but all this happens within one region, and the distance of movement does not exceed ten kilometers. This is too little compared to other birds that travel significant distances with the changing seasons. Therefore, magpies are sedentary birds and not migratory.

What are male magpies called?

A male magpie has found food for himself.
Like most wild birds, the “magpie” has a single name without distinguishing between female and male. Therefore, to indicate gender in Russian, the phrases “female magpie” and “male magpie” are used.

The magpie chick is called “magpie”, and in the plural – “magpie”.

Description of a magpie

The common magpie is a bird about 49 cm long, the main tones that make up its color are black and white. But the black plumage miraculously shimmers in the sun, turning blue, green, or purple. However, during molting the bird loses its decorative appearance.

A beautiful bird with white sides and a black back and tail, shimmering in the sun in various shades, can make you admire it

Description of the bird:

• The wingspan is up to 90 cm.
• The tail is very long, longer than the body. The feathers are arranged in steps.
• The gait is funny, the magpie moves along the ground with funny leaps.
• The flight is undulating.
• The black plumage has a metallic sheen. The tail feathers are matte.

Note! It is impossible to determine the age of birds by plumage; young animals are painted in the same colors as older individuals.

A loud chirping sound interspersed with the croaking “shack-shack-shack” - this is how the magpie “speaks”. Birds are sociable, they shout to warn each other about danger, the chirping becomes faster the more excited the bird is. Males use quiet singing during the mating season to attract females.

Differences between female and male

Understanding the sex of a bird is not easy, since sexual dimorphism is practically not expressed. Birds differ slightly in size: males are larger, weighing about 232 grams, females are more compact, rarely reaching a weight of more than 200 grams. The main ways to distinguish a female from a male are scientific: DNA analysis, study of the shape of the skull and pelvic bones.

In flight, the bird spreads its wings, making the coloring even more decorative.

Difference from a crow

Both birds are representatives of the Corvidae family, but the magpie is included in the genus Magpies, the crow is included in the genus Raven. Features of birds that will help you distinguish them:

• Color. Common magpies are beautiful black and white birds, while ravens are jet black. Both birds have black plumage that shimmers beautifully in different shades in the sun. However, magpies always have white feathers at the tips of their wings.
• Habitat. Magpies are found on various continents, crows are found only in Eurasia.
• Voice. Magpies chirp, crows caw.

Note! There is no need to distinguish birds by size; their body length and weight are approximately equal.

Signs associated with magpies

Photo of a magpie soaring in the sky
The image of a magpie is found in the cultures of many nations. For some, this bird represents happiness, wealth and success, for others it is a harbinger of bad news and trouble.

The magpie gained notoriety back in the days of Noah's Ark, when the bird did not fly onto the ship with all the other animals, but remained on the roof. The bird showed a complex character, not obeying other people's rules. The magpie is credited with negative qualities - a thief, a liar, a chatterbox. Many sayings are associated with this black and white bird.

Beautiful magpie among green grass

This is how gossipers are called “cracking like a magpie,” and when talking about where a person learned about some news, they say “a magpie brought it on its tail.”

Despite the numerous unpleasant characteristics, most of the signs associated with the appearance of these birds still have a positive context.

• A bird flew onto the balcony - a sign that does not bode well. The house will be calm, no scandals or quarrels.
• A magpie flew into the house and chirped - good news awaits the family.
• A magpie flew into the yard or settled in the garden - the owners will face financial difficulties.
• A magpie circling over the house is a sign that signifies the onset of a dark streak in life.
• A magpie sat on the window, it jumps and chirps - a person will find himself in the center of gossip and intrigue.
• Two magpies are sitting in front of the house - guests should be expected.
• A flock of magpies flying overhead foreshadows a wedding.
• It is a bad omen if a bird knocks on the window - it brought bad news, perhaps one of the relatives will die soon.
• The magpie knocked on the window and flew away - a sign promising that all adversity will bypass the house.

The world around us for children 5-8 years old “Wintering birds”. Magpie

The magpie has many nicknames: the white-sided magpie, the chirping magpie, and even the thief magpie.
White-sided, because the feathers on the sides of the magpie are completely white. The head and wings are black. The tail is also black, but with a very beautiful greenish tint, long and straight, like an arrow.

The chirping magpie is called the chirping magpie because, flying from place to place, it chirps loudly: “Cha-cha-cha!” With a loud, alarming chirping, magpies warn forest inhabitants of danger.

It’s not for nothing that the magpie received the nickname “thief”, because she really loves everything bright and shiny. In a magpie's nest you can find pieces of metal wire, a shiny button, beads, and sometimes even a teaspoon.

The magpie is also called the “forest newspaper”, and about interesting news they say: “The magpie brought it on its tail.”

Magpie

I know every bush in the forest,

I carry the news on my tail.

Maybe it's me for this

And they call it “forest newspaper”?

Magpies love to build nests in willow thickets along the banks of forest rivers and streams, in young light and spacious pine forests, in clearings and on the edges. The magpie's nest, built from dry branches, is large and comfortable. Inside the nest is a bowl made of clay and covered with down, wool, straws and blades of grass. This structure is protected from the weather by a real roof: the magpies place branches and twigs at an angle, which form a dome.

Magpies are not lazy and build several nests at once, and then choose the best one from them. Five or eight rather large eggs soon appear in this nest, which the female incubates.

After three weeks, the eggs hatch and the little magpies squeak loudly, their bright red mouths opening wide. Parents feed their babies all day without a break.

Remember the rhyme about the magpie?

She cooked porridge and fed the children.

In fact, the white-sided magpie does not cook porridge for children. She feeds the chicks with caterpillars, midges, beetles and mosquitoes. In addition to insects, magpies peck at berries and fruits, plant seeds, and sometimes they can destroy someone else's nest or catch a small animal.

In the autumn, magpies gather in small flocks, fly around gardens and parks, and eat rowan, hawthorn and sea buckthorn berries.

Long-tailed rattles do not fly away from us to the southern regions. In winter, birds move closer to people - they fly to villages and settle in the outskirts of the city. Being around a person makes you feel more nourished and warmer.

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