Black-billed Magpie

Pica hudsonia

A boldly patterned bird of the western U.S., Black-billed Magpies are conspicuous both in appearance, and in nesting behavior.  With a bold black-and-white plumage pattern and an extremely long tail, they are unmistakable bird in flight in much of western North America.  As nesting birds, they build massive domed nests that may be more than three feet wide in diameter.  Black-billed Magpies were once commonly kept as cage birds.  They were often the direct targets of farmers and ranchers trying to eliminate them, and were indirectly affected by poison baits set out for predators.  However, they are now once again common and widespread in much of western North America.

Habitat: Prefers mixed habitat, avoids unbroken forest or treeless prairie.  Includes rangeland (with trees), farms and farmland, riparian areas, shelterbelts, and residential areas.

Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on insects, rodents, eggs and bird young, reptiles, snakes, carrion, seeds, nuts, fruits and berries.

Behavior: Primarily forages by walking along the ground.

Nesting: May through July.  The nest of a Black-billed Magpie is large dome with a side entrance, built of sticks and twigs, and up to 3 feet in diameter.  The female lays betwen 5 and 9 eggs, and she alone incubates them, while the male brings food to her.  After the eggs hatch, both parents help tend to the young and bring food to them.  The young leave the nest after about 4 weeks.

Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Noisy, with a variety of calls. Black-billed Magpie Call.

Migration: Permanent resident throughout its range. 

Similar Species: Yellow-billed Magpie (only found in California)

Conservation Status: Still common in its range, although thousands were once killed by poison baits set out for predators. The IUCN lists the Black-billed Magpie as a species of "Least Concern".

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Black-billed Magpie

2) BirdLife International - Black-billed Magpie

3) eNature.com: Black-billed Magpie

Photo Information: August 25th, 2004 -- Near Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Black-billed Magpie photos.