Native to Australia and New Guinea, these magpies are no relation to the Eurasian magpie (we’ll be covering them later this week). They’re called magpies simply because European settlers would name plants and animals after similar-looking species from Europe.
The Australian magpie has pure black and white plumage, with young magpies distinguished by light grey or brown tones in their plumage. Magpies are one of 5000-odd species considered songbirds.
The species doesn’t have the best reputation as they’re notorious for swooping people that approach their nesting areas during breeding season. Perhaps an Australian magpie tattoo will be seen as a gesture of goodwill and keep you safe from their antics?
Not everyone has such negative interactions with the birds; in fact, magpies can be quiet silly, as you can see in YouTube videos like this.
Neo trad magpie tattoo by @samclarktattoos
Traditional wattle and magpie tattoo by @abbyjeantattoo
Blackwork magpie tattoo by @eddylou
Traditional style magpie tattoo by @death_cloak
Neo trad magpies tattoo by @emma__d
Neo trad magpie and flowers tattoo by @samilocke
Traditional style magpie tattoo by @avalontattoo
Updated: March 25, 2020
Neo trad Australian magpie tattoo by @sophielewistattoos
Neo trad Australian magpie tattoo by @carlosransom
Neo trad Australian magpie tattoo by @theatattoos
Australian magpie tattoo by @macytattoos
Updated: April 1, 2021
Neo trad magpie tattoo by @drewshallis
Papa magpie and his two magpie daughters. Tattoo by @tanvandenbroek
Traditional magpie and grevillea tattoo by @josh.g.tattoo
Neo trad magpie gap filler tattoo by @drewshallis
Cute magpie and wattle tattoo by @nikii_neko_tattoo