Magpies in Sweden
When the Magpie (Pica pica) is present in Sweden, when it nests, and which native Sweden plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Sweden
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–June
- Size
- 45 cm, 230 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect magpies in Sweden
The Magpie lives in Sweden all year round. Long, cold winters with snow; feeders keep tits, Nuthatches and finches going for months.
Temperate in the south, boreal across most of the country and subarctic in the far north.
Nesting in Sweden
In Sweden the Magpie usually nests May–June. Nest site: domed stick nest in trees. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 21–22 days; chicks fledge after 24–30 days, and pairs raise 1 per year.
- The Magpie does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Sweden plants for magpies
Of the native plants we track for Sweden, these 8 provide food the Magpie uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Orange-red berries are a magnet for Blackbirds, thrushes and Waxwings from August.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Hips persist into winter for thrushes and finches.
Translucent red berries in autumn.
Pink-orange fruit eaten by Robins and thrushes.
Feeding in the garden
Omnivorous — insects, carrion, fruit and eggs.
- Does not visit feeders — habitat and water are what bring it in.
- Research shows Magpies do not drive garden songbird declines.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are magpies in Sweden all year?
Yes — the Magpie is resident in Sweden all year.
When do magpies nest in Sweden?
Typically May–June. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 21–22 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help magpies in Sweden?
Hawthorn, Rowan, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Dog rose, Guelder rose, Spindle are native to Sweden and provide food or cover the Magpie uses.
Magpies in other countries
Other garden birds in Sweden
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.