Black-billed Magpie

Overview

Black-billed Magpie: Large, noisy jay, mostly black, with very long tail and dark, stout bill. Wings and tail are iridescent blue and green-black. White belly and sides. Eats insects, larvae, carrion. Direct flight on shallow, steady wing beats. Often glides between perches or from perch to ground.

Range and Habitat

Black-billed Magpie: Resident from Alaska and western Canada south to California and the Great Plains. Preferred habitats include open woodlands, savannas, brush-covered country, and stream sides.

INTERESTING FACTS

In the past, they have been considered vermin (due to their feeding on poultry eggs and orchard crops) and farmers have placed bounties on them. They are now protected in the U.S.
The Black-billed Magpie spends up to 40 hours building nests with domes on top.
Unlike most birds, they can use scent to locate food.
A group of magpies has many collective nouns, including a "charm", "gulp", "mischief", "tittering", and "tribe" of magpies.

The Black-billed Magpie is part of the crow family, and inhabits western North America and southern Alaska. This species is one of the few in which mates stay together for life. They nest at the tops of evergreens and other deciduous trees, and are mainly non-migratory. At times, the Black-billed Magpie will travel south or east during winter months, but they typically form colonies and roost together during this time of year. The Black-billed Magpie is omnivorous, dining on berries, insects, carrion, eggs and rodents. Populations are so dense that the conservation status for this species is rated as Least Concern.