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The
magpies are medium to large, often colorful and noisy
passerine birds in the crow family, Corvidae. They are
closely allied to the jays and treepies. The names 'jay',
'treepie' and 'magpie' are to a certain extent interchangeable,
not reflecting any genuine genetic difference between
the groups. Recent research has cast doubt on the taxonomy
of the Pica magpies, since it appears that P. hudsonia
and P. nuttalli may not be different species, whereas
the Korean race of P. pica is genetically very distinct
from the other Eurasian forms. The Black Magpie, Platysmurus
leucopterus, despite its name, is a jay. Other corvids
resembling magpies include the treepies, genus Dendrocitta.
Black and white birds unrelated to the corvids are often
named magpies by analogy. These include the Australian
Magpie. |
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|
The
magpies are medium to large, often colorful and noisy
passerine birds in the crow family, Corvidae. They are
closely allied to the jays and treepies. The names 'jay',
'treepie' and 'magpie' are to a certain extent interchangeable,
not reflecting any genuine genetic difference between
the groups. Recent research has cast doubt on the taxonomy
of the Pica magpies, since it appears that P. hudsonia
and P. nuttalli may not be different species, whereas
the Korean race of P. pica is genetically very distinct
from the other Eurasian forms. The Black Magpie, Platysmurus
leucopterus, despite its name, is a jay. Other corvids
resembling magpies include the treepies, genus Dendrocitta.
Black and white birds unrelated to the corvids are often
named magpies by analogy. These include the Australian
Magpie. |
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