Plus Obligatory Bird Ask Doodle >:D - Blog Posts

Magpies are my favourite bird (kingfishers and rosellas are close behind), hell I even named myself Corvid because of them but my favourite type of Magpie is the Australian Magpie which isn’t even a Corvid, but a butcherbird, so I believe they should be called fakepie’s from now on

Hello anon!! :D

Absolutely ecstatic to find another corvid and corvid related songbird appreciator!!

That's a super interesting subject you brought up though 👀

Turns out a simple way to tell if most songbirds are corvids (with the exception of Rooks and Grey Crows) is the presence of ‘nasal bristles’ on the bird’s upper bill (basically the small feathers on the top beak). Australian Magpies, Grackles, and Butcherbirds look quite similar to corvids, but do not have this plumage! (and you can tell their beak shape is a bit straighter and more triangular)

And you’re right, Australian Magpies (or fakepies hehe) are *super* closely related to butcherbirds (though they are still classified as a different genus)

And lastly, I leave you with a Bonus Fun Fact: all corvids and songbirds are thought to have originated in Australia! So ALL magpies are technically australian >:]

(Also while researching the subject I found this important video I think everyone should see: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EV4qZ_lgStw