Newhaven FaunaAustralian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) Pink Cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri) Pink Cockatoo crest Pink Cockatoo in flight Torresian Crow (Corvus orru) Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) Zebra Finch – danger in numbers

Native to Australia and southern New Guinea, the Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a medium-sized black and white passerine bird and said to be one of Australia’s most accomplished songbirds.

Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary NT © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary NT © Dorothy Latimer

A robust bird, the adult Australian Magpie has distinctive black and white plumage, gold brown eyes and a solid wedge-shaped bluish-white and black bill. There are now nine recognised subspecies.

Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary NT © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary NT © Dorothy Latimer

The Australian Magpie pictured here is foraging on the drowned Zebra Finch in the water trough at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary.

Check our main section in Fauna > Birds > Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen).


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Subphylum: Vertebrata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Artamidae
  • Genus: Gymnorhina
  • Species: Gymnorhina tibicen

Newhaven FaunaAustralian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) Pink Cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri) Pink Cockatoo crest Pink Cockatoo in flight Torresian Crow (Corvus orru) Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) Zebra Finch – danger in numbers

Newhaven Wildlife SanctuaryNewhaven Fauna Newhaven Flora

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