Magpies are birds of the Corvidae (crow) family, including the black and white Eurasian magpie, which is considered one of the most intelligent animals in the world, and the only non-mammal species able to recognize itself in a mirror test. In addition to other members of the genus Pica, corvids considered as magpies are in the genera Cissa, Cyanopica and Urocissa.
According to some studies, magpies do not form the monophyletic group they are traditionally believed to be—a long tail has certainly elongated (or shortened) independently in multiple lineages of corvid birds. Among the traditional magpies, there appear to be two distinct lineages. One consists of Holarctic species with black/white colouration and is probably closely related to crows and Eurasian jays. The other contains several species from South to East Asia with vivid colouration which is predominantly green or blue. The azure-winged magpie and the Iberian magpie, formerly thought to constitute a single species with a most peculiar distribution, have been shown be two distinct species and classified as the genus Cyanopica.
Magpie may refer to:
"True" magpies, four genera in the bird family Corvidae:
Other Corvidae:
Bellmagpies, songbirds related to Corvidae in family Artamidae or Cracticidae, namely:
Songbirds unrelated to Corvidae:
Throughout its history, DC Comics has introduced many characters, including numerous minor characters. These characters range from supporting characters, heroes and villains that appear infrequently, to characters that only take part in a single story.
Airstryke is a villain in the DC Universe.
Within the context of the stories, William Kavanagh was given the ability to transform into a pterodactyl/man hybrid by a weapons company Meta/Tech and took the name Airstryke. Count Viper took advantage of these new abilities and used Airstryke to distract Hawkman while Viper tried to take command of the Justice League and thus the world. Airstryke and Viper were soon defeated and Airstryke was sent to Belle Reve Prison. He remained here until he was freed by Neron and was given the chance to sell his soul along with numerous other villains. Airstryke chose not to sell his soul and continued his life of crime. Eventually, Airstryke was returned to prison where he became a victim of Joker's Joker gas. Again, he was defeated and returned to prison. This time he was sent to the Slab. During his stay, Brother Blood attempted to break all the villains out of the prison so they could assist him on his mission. Airstryke was the first to question Blood on his plan. Brother Blood then shot and killed Airstryke for his hubris.
The magpie is a most illustrious bird
dwells in a diamond tree
one brings sorrow and one brings joy
sorrow and joy for me
The magpie is a most royal bird
black and blue as night
i would that I had feathers three
black and blue and white
I saw the gentle magpie bird
in dusky yester-eve
one brought sorrow and one brought joy