South Korea's national bird is the Korean magpie, known in Korean as kkachi (까치) and scientifically as Pica serica. It was officially designated as South Korea's national bird in 1964 and has been a beloved symbol of Korean culture for centuries. If that's the one-sentence answer you needed, you've got it. In Keoladeo National Park, one of the most famous birds to look out for is the Siberian crane keoladeo national park is famous for. But there's a lot more to the story, including what's happening across the border in North Korea, which is worth knowing if you've seen the phrase "national bird of Korea" floating around without much context.
What Is South Korea’s National Bird? Symbolism, Facts
Marcus Chen
19 Apr 2026
South Korea's national bird: the Korean magpie
The Korean magpie (Pica serica) was chosen as South Korea's national bird in 1964. It's sometimes called the Oriental magpie, and it's the same bird you'll see referenced across South Korean culture, from folklore to government documents. Seoul's Metropolitan Government even designated it as the city's official bird separately, describing it as an auspicious bird that brings good news. That double designation, at both the national and capital-city level, tells you something about how deeply the magpie is woven into Korean identity.
The magpie has been adopted as the official bird by many South Korean cities, counties, and provinces, not just Seoul. That kind of widespread institutional recognition across local governments makes it one of the more thoroughly embedded national bird choices you'll find anywhere in the world.
North Korea's national bird: a more complicated answer
North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK) has had two different national birds depending on when you're looking. For most of the period after 2008, the DPRK's national bird was the Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), a large, powerful raptor with a very different set of symbolic associations than the friendly magpie.
However, as of 2023, North Korea updated its national bird to the Oriental magpie (Pica serica), the same species as South Korea's national bird. So as of today (April 2026), both countries on the Korean peninsula officially recognize the Oriental magpie as their national bird, though each arrived at that designation through a very different path and timeline.
It's worth noting that confirming North Korea's official designations from the outside can be tricky since primary DPRK government sources are not easily accessible. The 2023 update is documented in ornithological and Korean studies sources, but treat it as well-sourced rather than officially confirmed directly from Pyongyang.
What people usually mean by "national bird of Korea"
When you search for the "national bird of Korea" without a north or south qualifier, you'll almost always land on South Korea. That's simply because South Korea is what most English-language sources mean when they say Korea in an international context, and because South Korea's designation has been in place since 1964 with a well-documented record.
The peninsula itself has two sovereign states with separate governments, separate constitutions, and separate sets of national symbols. There is no single unified "Korea" that has an official national bird. Treating the two countries as one entity for the purpose of national symbols doesn't reflect how either government operates. So if someone asks "what is Korea's national bird," the practical answer is the Korean magpie, because they're almost certainly asking about South Korea, but it's worth knowing the distinction exists. If you meant Botswana specifically, the national bird is the African fish eagle. If you mean Zimbabwe specifically, the national bird is the African fish eagle.
Why the magpie was chosen: symbolism and cultural meaning
The Korean magpie isn't just a bird that happened to be common in Korea. It carries centuries of positive cultural meaning that made it a natural fit for a national emblem.
- Good news and good fortune: In Korean tradition, hearing a magpie call is taken as a sign that good news or a welcome guest is on the way. This is the opposite of how magpies are viewed in some Western cultures.
- New Year's auspice: Hearing a magpie on New Year's Day morning is considered especially lucky, making it one of the most positively charged birds in the Korean cultural calendar.
- Symbol of Korean identity: The Oriental magpie is described as a common symbol of Korean identity more broadly, not just as a government-chosen emblem but as a bird that Koreans have historically associated with home, good luck, and daily life.
- Widespread adoption: Its designation as an official bird by dozens of local governments across South Korea reflects genuine cultural attachment, not just a top-down government decision.
That combination of everyday familiarity, positive symbolism, and long-standing cultural presence is exactly what makes a strong national bird. Compare that to, say, a rare or intimidating raptor that represents power but that most people never see. The magpie is visible, familiar, and beloved, which is a meaningful combination for a national emblem.
A note on North Korea's earlier choice: the goshawk
Before 2023, North Korea's national bird was the Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). The goshawk is a very different kind of symbol: it's a fierce, agile predator known for speed and precision in hunting. As a national symbol, it projects strength and power rather than warmth or good fortune. The DPRK's choice of the goshawk from 2008 onward fit a state identity focused on resilience and strength. The 2023 switch to the magpie is an interesting shift, and it brings both halves of the peninsula into alignment on this particular symbol, even if everything else about the two governments remains sharply divided.
Quick facts for identifying the Korean magpie
If you're a bird enthusiast trying to picture this bird or identify it in the field, here's what stands out about Pica serica.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pica serica (Oriental magpie) |
| Common name in Korean | Kkachi (까치) |
| Size | Medium-large songbird, similar to European magpie |
| Plumage | Bold black and white with iridescent blue-green on wings and tail |
| Long tail | Distinctive long graduated tail, roughly as long as the body |
| Range | East Asia, including the Korean Peninsula, China, and parts of Japan |
| Habitat | Open woodlands, farmland, gardens, and urban areas |
| Behavior | Intelligent, vocal, often found near human settlements |
| National bird since | 1964 (South Korea); 2023 (North Korea) |
The black-and-white contrast with a glossy blue-green sheen on the wings and tail makes the Oriental magpie easy to recognize. It's also a loud and confident bird in urban and suburban settings, which is part of why Koreans have such a familiar relationship with it. You don't have to go looking for it: it tends to come to you.
How this compares to other Asian national birds
Korea's choice of the magpie is relatively unusual in the world of national birds. Most countries choose large, dramatic birds: eagles, cranes, peacocks. India's peacock and various African nations' choices (like Zimbabwe's African fish eagle or South Africa's blue crane) tend to be visually striking and rare enough to feel special. The magpie is a familiar, everyday bird that's genuinely common across the Korean peninsula. That choice says something about Korean culture: the national bird isn't meant to be distant or majestic so much as close, lucky, and loved.
How to verify this and where to read more
If you want to confirm what you've read here or dig deeper, here's how to approach it practically.
- Check Wikipedia's "National symbols of South Korea" page: it lists the Korean magpie (Pica serica) with the 1964 designation date and is a solid starting point for cross-referencing.
- For North Korea's current designation, look at the Oriental magpie (Pica serica) Wikipedia article, which documents the 2023 change from the goshawk. This is more up-to-date than many static national-symbols lists.
- Seoul Metropolitan Government's official website has a page on the city's official tree, flower, and bird. It confirms the magpie and explains the cultural rationale in plain language.
- For bird identification, the Birds Korea checklist (updated in 2024) is a reliable ornithological reference that lists Korean species with their common and scientific names, useful for verifying species identity.
- If you're researching DPRK national symbols, be aware that primary sources from North Korea are hard to access. Cross-check any claim against multiple secondary sources before treating it as confirmed.
National bird designations don't change often, but they do occasionally change, as North Korea's 2023 update shows. It's always worth checking a current source rather than relying on older reference books or cached web pages, especially for countries where official information is harder to access. For South Korea, the 1964 magpie designation has been stable for over sixty years and is well-documented across government and academic sources.
If the symbolism behind national birds is what drew you here, the magpie story is a genuinely interesting one. It's a bird chosen not for rarity or grandeur, but for cultural warmth and everyday meaning. If you're curious about the national bird meaning behind the Korean magpie, its long-standing symbolism is a big part of why it was chosen everyday meaning. The national bird of South Africa meaning is often explained through the bird's symbolism, habitat, and cultural importance national bird meaning. That makes it one of the more human national bird choices in the world, and a good reminder that what a country puts on its symbolic pedestal often says a lot about what that culture actually values.
FAQ
Is the Korean magpie the only national bird of South Korea?
Yes, South Korea lists the Korean magpie (kkachi, Pica serica) as its national bird, but many lower-level governments (cities, counties, provinces) also name their own local bird. That can make people think there are multiple national birds, but those are separate from the national designation.
Why do some people call it the Oriental magpie instead of Korean magpie?
The same species, Pica serica, is commonly referred to as the Oriental magpie in broader English usage. “Korean magpie” is the label tied to South Korea’s national-bird status, while both names point to the same bird species.
Can I rely on older reference books for South Korea’s national bird?
Mostly, but with a caveat. South Korea’s magpie designation has been stable since 1964, so older sources are usually correct. Still, if you are comparing “Korea” in general, remember the North Korea national-bird designation has changed, which can create conflicting answers.
What should I do if I see “national bird of Korea” with no country specified?
In English-language contexts, it usually means South Korea, but not always. A practical approach is to check whether the source is discussing the peninsula generally or specifically South Korea, and whether it mentions a 1964 designation (South Korea) or a later 2023 update (North Korea).
Is the national bird choice related to where the bird lives in South Korea?
It’s related indirectly. The Korean magpie is common and adaptable in human environments, which helps it become widely recognized. That day-to-day visibility makes it easier for the bird’s symbol to “stick” with people, even if it is not only tied to one protected habitat.
How can I identify the Oriental magpie reliably in the field?
Look for the black-and-white pattern with a glossy blue-green sheen on the wings and tail. It is often loud and bold in urban and suburban areas, so you can identify it both by look and by behavior without needing remote-bird spotting skills.
Is there any difference between kkachi and Pica serica that would confuse the identification?
No major confusion should be present if the key terms are aligned: kkachi is the Korean name, and Pica serica is the scientific name for the national bird species. If a source lists a different species under kkachi, it is likely an error or a mix-up with a different bird name.
What changed in 2023 for North Korea’s national bird, and does it affect South Korea?
North Korea switched its national bird to the Oriental magpie (Pica serica) in 2023. South Korea’s national-bird status did not change, since it has been the magpie since 1964, so the main impact is that both countries now use the same species.
Why is it difficult to confirm North Korea’s national bird from the outside?
Direct primary statements from DPRK government sources are not consistently accessible, so outsiders often rely on research summaries and ornithological or academic documentation. As a result, “confirmed” can mean well-supported rather than a verbatim official announcement.
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