Eurasian Magpie vs Great Blue Heron

Pica pica comparé à Ardea herodias

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Eurasian Magpie Great Blue Heron
Nom scientifique Pica pica Ardea herodias
Ordre Passeriformes Pelecaniformes
Famille Corvidae Ardeidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur 46,0 cm (18.1 in) 117,0 cm (46.1 in)
Envergure 56,0 cm (22.0 in) 183,0 cm (72.0 in)
Poids 220,0 g (7.76 oz) 2400,0 g (84.66 oz)
Régime alimentaire Omnivorous — insects, grains, berries, carrion, eggs, and nestlings. Caches surplus food for later retrieval. Primarily fish, also frogs, snakes, small mammals, insects, and other birds. Hunts by standing motionless …
Taille de la couvée 2-8 2-7
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Eurasian Magpie 46,0 cm
Great Blue Heron 117,0 cm
Envergure
Eurasian Magpie 56,0 cm
Great Blue Heron 183,0 cm
Poids
Eurasian Magpie 220,0 g
Great Blue Heron 2400,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Aucun(e)

Eurasian Magpie only

Aucun(e)

Great Blue Heron only

Eurasian Magpie

Open woodland, farmland, hedgerows, parks, and gardens. Common in suburban and urban environments across Eurasia.

Great Blue Heron

Wetlands of all types including marshes, swamps, riverbanks, lake edges, and coastal shores. Also hunts in fields and meadows.

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Song & Call Comparison

Eurasian Magpie

Chant

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.

Great Blue Heron

Chant

Deep, harsh, croaking 'frahnk-frahnk' call in flight. Also gives low guttural grunts at the nest. Alarmed birds give repeated croaks. Mostly silent for such a large wader.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Eurasian Magpie

Europe, Asia, and northwest Africa. One of the most recognizable birds across the Palearctic region.

Great Blue Heron

North and Central America from Alaska and southern Canada to the Caribbean and Galapagos Islands.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Eurasian Magpie

Least Concern

Great Blue Heron

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How to Tell Them Apart

Eurasian Magpie

Plumage

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.

Bec

Strong, straight black bill

Great Blue Heron

Plumage

Blue-grey body with a white head bearing a broad black stripe extending to a long black plume. Rufous-brown thighs. In flight, the neck is folded into an S-shape.

Bec

Long, dagger-like yellowish bill

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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.

Great Blue Heron

The great blue heron is the largest heron in North America, standing up to 1.4 meters tall. These patient hunters can stand motionless for extended periods before striking at prey with remarkable speed. They nest in large colonies called heronries, often returning to the same site year after year.

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