General

Black-billed Magpie: Large, noisy, black and white jay with very long tail and dark, stout bill. Wings and tail are iridescent blue and green-black. Sexes are similar.

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.

Breeding and Nesting

Black-billed Magpie: Seven to thirteen brown marked, green gray eggs are laid in a neat cup nest within a large, bulky, domed structure of strong, often thorny twigs, with a double entrance, in a tree or bush. Incubation ranges from 16 to 21 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Black-billed Magpie: Eats insects and carrion; also picks ticks off backs of elk, deer, and livestock. Forages on the ground by walking or hopping; when plentiful, food is cached.

Readily Eats

Cracked Corn, Suet, Sunflower Seed

Vocalization

Black-billed Magpie: Emits a rapid, nasal "mag mag mag" or "yak yak yak."

Similar Species

Black-billed Magpie: Yellow-billed Magpie is smaller and has a yellow bill and yellow patch of bare skin below or around the eye.