Korean Magpie

The Korean Magpie or Oriental Magpie Pica (pica) sericea, known as "ggachee" (까치) in Korean, is generally treated as an East Asian subspecies of the European Magpie (Pica pica), but it may be a distinct species. It is a common symbol of the Korean identity, and has been adopted as the "official bird" of numerous South Korean cities, counties and provinces. But it is not limited to the Korean Peninsula and if considered a valid species its range may extend almost to the Himalayas. Consequently, other vernacular names may be used for this bird, e.g. Asian Magpie or Chinese Magpie.

Compared to the European Magpie, it differs not in size but is somewhat stockier, with a proportionally shorter tail and longer wings. The back, tail, and particularly the remiges show strong purplish-blue iridescence with few if any green hues. The populations found east of the Tibetan Plateau, which might belong to this species, are larger (the largest Pica magpies on Earth). They have a rump plumage that is mostly black, with but a few and often hidden traces of the white band which connects the white shoulder patches in their relatives.

The Korean Magpie has the a similar chatter call as the European birds, but it is markedly softer.