Beautiful Jay vs Eurasian Magpie
Cyanolyca pulchra compared with Pica pica
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Beautiful Jay | Eurasian Magpie |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cyanolyca pulchra | Pica pica |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Corvidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 46.0 cm (18.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 26.6 cm (10.5 in) | 56.0 cm (22.0 in) |
| Weight | 97.25 g (3.43 oz) | 220.0 g (7.76 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Omnivorous — insects, grains, berries, carrion, eggs, and nestlings. Caches surplus food for later retrieval. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Eurasian Magpie
Open woodland, farmland, hedgerows, parks, and gardens. Common in suburban and urban environments across Eurasia.
Song & Call Comparison
Beautiful Jay
Eurasian Magpie
A harsh, rapid chattering 'chach-chach-chach'. Also gives a variety of whistles and clucking notes. Known to mimic other birds and sounds. Very vocal in pairs.
Geographic Range & Migration
Beautiful Jay
Eurasian Magpie
Europe, Asia, and northwest Africa. One of the most recognizable birds across the Palearctic region.
Conservation Status
Beautiful Jay
Eurasian Magpie
How to Tell Them Apart
Beautiful Jay
Eurasian Magpie
Bold black and white pattern with iridescent blue-green gloss on the wings and long graduated tail. White scapulars and flanks contrast with the black body.
Strong, straight black bill
About These Birds
Beautiful Jay
The Beautiful Jay is a rare, near-threatened jay restricted to the humid cloud forests of the western Andes in Colombia and Ecuador. It has striking brilliant blue plumage with a black mask, and is considered one of the most attractive jays. It forages in small groups in the forest canopy and midstory, feeding on insects, fruits, and small vertebrates.
Eurasian Magpie
The Eurasian magpie is one of the most intelligent animals on Earth and the first non-mammal demonstrated to recognize itself in a mirror. These bold corvids build elaborate domed nests of sticks and have a well-known attraction to shiny objects, though this reputation may be exaggerated.