Eurasian Magpie vs House Sparrow
Pica pica compared with Passer domesticus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eurasian Magpie | House Sparrow |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pica pica | Passer domesticus |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Passeridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 46.0 cm (18.1 in) | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) |
| Wingspan | 56.0 cm (22.0 in) | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) |
| Weight | 220.0 g (7.76 oz) | 30.0 g (1.06 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — insects, grains, berries, carrion, eggs, and nestlings. Caches surplus food for later retrieval. | Primarily seeds and grains, supplemented with insects during breeding season. Readily exploits human food scraps … |
| Clutch Size | 2-8 | 1-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Eurasian Magpie
Open woodland, farmland, hedgerows, parks, and gardens. Common in suburban and urban environments across Eurasia.
House Sparrow
Closely associated with human habitation. Found in cities, towns, farms, and any built environment. Rarely found far from people.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
House Sparrow
Monotonous series of chirping 'cheep' and 'chirrup' notes. Male gives 'chilp' song repeatedly. Flocks produce constant chirping chatter. No melodic song; purely functional calls.
Geographic Range & Migration
Eurasian Magpie
Europe, Asia, and northwest Africa. One of the most recognizable birds across the Palearctic region.
House Sparrow
Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to every continent except Antarctica, making it the most widely distributed wild bird.
Conservation Status
Eurasian Magpie
House Sparrow
How to Tell Them Apart
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
House Sparrow
Males have grey crowns, chestnut napes, black bibs, and streaked brown backs. Females and juveniles are plain buffy-brown with a pale eyebrow stripe.
Short, stout, conical bill — black in breeding males, yellowish in non-breeding
About These Birds
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.
House Sparrow
The house sparrow is perhaps the most successful bird in the world at living alongside humans. Introduced to New York in 1851, it spread across North America within decades. Despite its global abundance, house sparrow populations have declined significantly in parts of western Europe.