Eurasian Magpie vs Southern Cassowary
Pica pica compared with Casuarius casuarius
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eurasian Magpie | Southern Cassowary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pica pica | Casuarius casuarius |
| Order | Passeriformes | Casuariiformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Casuariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 46.0 cm (18.1 in) | 155.0 cm (61.0 in) |
| Wingspan | 56.0 cm (22.0 in) | 60.2 cm (23.7 in) |
| Weight | 220.0 g (7.76 oz) | 58000.0 g (2045.89 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — insects, grains, berries, carrion, eggs, and nestlings. Caches surplus food for later retrieval. | Primarily fallen fruit from the rainforest floor, also fungi, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. A critical … |
| Clutch Size | 2-8 | 3-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Eurasian Magpie
Open woodland, farmland, hedgerows, parks, and gardens. Common in suburban and urban environments across Eurasia.
Southern Cassowary
Tropical rainforests, mangroves, and adjacent habitat in New Guinea and northeastern Australia.
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.
Southern Cassowary
Produces very deep, booming rumbles and low-frequency calls below 20 Hz (infrasound), felt more than heard. Also gives loud bellowing grunts audible up to 1 km away.
Geographic Range & Migration
Eurasian Magpie
Europe, Asia, and northwest Africa. One of the most recognizable birds across the Palearctic region.
Southern Cassowary
New Guinea, nearby islands, and northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Conservation Status
Eurasian Magpie
Southern Cassowary
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
Southern Cassowary
Glossy black hair-like plumage. Brilliant blue and red bare skin on the head and neck. A large bony casque crowns the head. Vestigial wings with no flight feathers.
Long, laterally compressed, dark grey bill
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.
Southern Cassowary
The southern cassowary is often called the most dangerous bird in the world due to its powerful legs and dagger-like inner claw that can reach 12 cm in length. Despite this reputation, cassowaries are vital rainforest keystone species, dispersing seeds of plants that no other animal can. The purpose of their distinctive casque remains debated.