A familiar and eye-catching member of the crow family, instantly recognisable by its long tail and noisy, chattering calls. It inhabits open and semi-open country ranging from farmland and light woodland to towns and gardens, seen alone but more often in pairs or small groups. Its large stick nest is often obvious high in a tree or hedgerow. The bold black-and-white plumage stands out, with a white belly, white back, and white panels in the wings, which can show a blue-green sheen in good light

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