©Ibrahim Ali Al-Mohannadi
On 11 January 2026, the first confirmed record of the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) in the wild 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 bird was encountered under unexpected circumstances.
While the observer was photographing another species near the mangroves close
to the water, a striking and unfamiliar bird suddenly emerged from the mangrove
vegetation and perched on a nearby water pipe. Its long tail and distinctive
appearance immediately drew attention, as it was unlike any species previously
seen in the area. The bird remained in view long enough to be photographed,
moving between the mangroves, the shoreline, and the pipe, allowing clear
documentation of this remarkable record.
The Eurasian Magpie is a species characterized by localized
movements rather than long-distance migration and is not known to 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 behavior.
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.
The species has previously occurred as a vagrant in Oman.
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.
©Ibrahim Ali 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.
©Ibrahim Ali 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 is known only from this region.
References:
BirdLife International. (2025). Pica
pica Species Factsheet.
Porter,
R., Campbell, O., & Al-Sirhan, A. (2024). Birds of the
Middle East (3rd ed.).
