In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw an Australian Magpie in 7 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Australian Magpie.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw an Australian Magpie - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Australian Magpies are a type of bird that lives in Australia. Start by drawing the magpie’s head. Be sure to add a pointy beak.
Step 2: Add a line to the beak for the mouth, and a circle for the eye.
Step 3: Australian Magpies have a big white splotch on their backs; draw one on yours. Also draw in a long swooping line for the bird’s chest and a jagged portion at the bottom for its belly.
Step 4: Add a wing and draw some feathers. A bird’s wing has lots of feathers to help it fly.
Step 5: At the bottom of the bird’s chest and belly, draw in a leg. The magpie’s legs are long and narrow and end with two toes at the front, and one at the back. Make sure to add his talons! These help him catch and eat his food.
Step 6: Add in his other leg, making sure to add in his backside as well.
Step 7: Finally, add some more feathers to make his tail. You’re done! Australian Magpies are black with thick white stripes on their backs. As songbirds, they have lovely voices and are sometimes known to even copy human speech! They can be very fierce, and have been adopted as the mascot for several sporting teams in Australia as a result.
Interesting Facts about Australian Magpies
Australian magpies are songbirds that are native to Australia and Southern New Guinea. There are three different species: the black-backed magpie, the western magpie, and the white-backed magpie. Of the three, the black-backed magpie is the most common. There are several subspecies of the bird as well.
Did you know?
- Australian magpies live in groups called tribes or mischiefs. They live amongst people, or anywhere that has a lot of trees and open space.
- They have black and white feathers and golden eyes. Their beaks are black and a bluish white. They have long legs, and they walk instead of hop or waddle.
- Australian magpies can mimic the sounds of other birds, horses, dogs, and sometimes even humans if they live near them.
Although Australian magpies are usually calm creatures, they are known for their swooping attacks during nesting season. During that time period, which is when the mother is waiting for her eggs to hatch, they become very protective of their nests. If a person or animal walks into their territory, they assume that their space is being invaded. They, therefore, attack the “invader.” People are often warned about the swooping, and there are ways to protect yourself if you are ever in magpie territory during nesting season.
How To Draw An Australian magpie – Step-By-Step Tutorial