Iberian Magpie

Present throughout the Iberian Peninsula, no one can miss it. The Iberian Magpie is of a respectable size (35 cm) and has beautiful colors that make it instantly recognizable. The head is black, the entire crown and forehead are like painted, the separation between the black head, the white throat and the light brown nape is very clear. The beak is strong, also black; at the base of the beak there are small moustaches also black, the eye is black. The mantle and back are light brown like the large and medium greater-wing coverts, the remiges are a beautiful light blue, the outer edge of the remiges with a light white stripe; the Subcaudaliy feathers are gray-blue. The long tail (up to 20 cm!) which can be half, or even a little more, the size of the bird is also light blue. The throat is white and fades to sandy color slightly pinkish on the abdomen and lower belly, a little clearer than the brown back. In flight the under-wing coverts are very light blue and the coverings appear light brown, almost cream. The young will have a darker brown cap first. The adult brown colors on the mantle and coverings are much lighter, the remiges show light streaks on a light blue background. There is no differentiation between male and female. The Iberian Magpie seems perched directly on its black tarsi, the tibiae are rarely distinguished.