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With their noisy “chattering” call, black-and-white plumage and long tail, magpies are amongst the most easily recognised birds in the UK. When seen close-up their black plumage takes on a more colourful hue with a purplish-blue iridescent sheen to the wing feathers and a green gloss to the tail.

Magpies can be found across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but they are more localised in Scotland; absent from the Highlands. They are seen in a range of habitats from lowland farmland to upland moors. They sometimes breed at high densities in suburban settings such as parks and gardens and can often be found close to the centre of cities Link.