©Mohammed Saleh Al-Mohannadi
On 11 January 2026, the first confirmed record of the
Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) in Qatar was documented at Al Thakhira
Reserve, observed by Ibrahim Ali Al-Muhannadi. This observation
represents a notable and unprecedented addition to the country’s avifauna, as
no prior confirmed records of this species exist in Qatar.
The Eurasian Magpie is a species characterized by localized
movements rather than long-distance migration and does not follow
established migratory flyways typical of true migrants. Across the Middle East
and the Arabian Gulf, it is generally regarded as non-migratory, although it
may exhibit winter dispersal, with individuals undertaking
short-distance movements in response to harsh weather conditions.
From a regional perspective, this occurrence is best
interpreted as the result of irregular and uncommon dispersal from
nearby populations rather than true migratory behaviour. Although the precise
origin cannot be determined, western Iran represents a plausible source,
given that the species is established there as a resident population. The
species also occurs in Iraq (particularly in mountainous regions) and Syria,
where individuals may move from higher elevations to lower areas, such as
southern Iraq, during periods of severe winter conditions.
This record constitutes the first confirmed occurrence of
Eurasian Magpie in Qatar, representing a significant addition to the
national bird list and underscoring the importance of continued documentation
and monitoring of rare and unexpected species occurrences.
©Mohammed Saleh Al-Mohannadi
The Eurasian Magpie typically inhabits open landscapes
with scattered trees, including farmland, woodland edges, riverbanks, and
semi-urban environments. It often avoids dense forests and is well adapted to
areas influenced by human activity, where it benefits from available food
resources and nesting sites include insects, small animals, eggs, nestlings,
seeds, fruits, and carrion. Magpies are also known for their intelligence
and adaptability, often foraging on the ground or in low vegetation and
sometimes scavenging in urban areas.
©Mohammed Saleh Al-Mohannadi
It is important to note that this record refers specifically to the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) and not the Asir Magpie (Pica asirensis). The Asir Magpie is a distinct species endemic to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is restricted to the Asir highlands in the southwestern part of the country. It has a very limited and localized distribution and has not been recorded outside this region.
References:
BirdLife International. (2025). Pica pica Species Factsheet.
Richard Porter, & Oscar Campbell, & AbdulRahman Al-Sirhan (3rd Edition). Birds of the Middle East.
