Bird · GBIF taxon 5844936
Iberian Magpie
Cyanopica cookiAlso known as Azure-winged Magpie, Iberian Azure-winged Magpie, Spanish Magpie
Iberian magpies are highly social corvids recognizable by their glossy black caps, soft pinkish-fawn bodies, and striking azure-blue wings and long tails. They roam open oak woodlands and dehesas in noisy family groups, engaging in cooperative breeding where non-breeding helpers assist in raising chicks. These intelligent foragers move seamlessly between trees and the ground, maintaining constant communication with rasping, metallic calls.
SocialColorfulVocal
Licensed referenceJ. Patrick Fischer / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Acorns
- Insects
- Berries
Predators
- Raptors
- Domestic cats
- Genets
ThreatsHabitat loss, agricultural intensification, excessive pesticide use
HabitatsDehesas, open Mediterranean oak woods, pine forests, orchards, olive groves
Life span5–10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCorvidae
- SpeciesCyanopica cooki
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listen for Calls: Keep an ear out for their rasping contact calls echoing through oak groves.
- Watch Dehesa Habitats: Look for noisy family parties gliding between trees in open woodlands.
- Keep Distance at Nests: Avoid approaching communal nesting sites during spring breeding.
Co-occurring Corvidae Alexis Lours / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Co-occurring Corvidae (c) Luc Viatour, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative J. Patrick Fischer / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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