Curio

State Library of New South Wales
‘Barita’ or Black-backed magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen); Australian magpie (Cracticus tibicen), 1790s

‘Barita’ or Black-backed magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen); Australian magpie (Cracticus tibicen), 1790s

Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW; Purchased 1887; PXD 226, f. 6

Watercolour

Magpies are native to Australia and southern New Guinea and are closely related to butcherbirds.
Australian magpies have long legs which enable them to walk rather than hop or skip.
Australian magpies specific name tibicen is Latin for ‘flute-player’ in reference to their wide range of melodic calls.
The Black-backed magpie is a type of Australian magpie.
The Australian magpie has one of the world's most complex bird songs and they are able to mimic the calls of over 35 species of other birds.
Spring is ‘magpie season’ well known for breeding magpies swooping on intruders and unsuspecting bike riders approaching their nests.
Australian magpies live to around 25 years of age. Males and females are distinguished by different back markings.