General
Yellow-billed Magpie: Large jay with black hood, back and breast, featherless, pale yellow spot behind eye, and white belly. Bill is yellow. Upperwings are iridescent blue-green with large white shoulder patches. Tail is iridescent green-black, very long, and wedge-shaped. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has dark bill and lacks eye spot.
Range and Habitat
Yellow-billed Magpie: This species has a very limited range. It is only found in California's Central Valley and the adjacent foothills, where it is a resident breeder. Its range extends across western central California. Its preferred habitats include oak savannas, oak woods, riverside growth, ranches, and suburbs.
Breeding and Nesting
Yellow-billed Magpie: Five to eight olive eggs, marked with brown or olive, are laid in a large, domed stick nest. Nest is often built in a tree overgrown with mistletoe and is difficult to detect. Incubation ranges from 16 to 18 days and is carried out by the female.
Foraging and Feeding
Yellow-billed Magpie: Diet consists of insects, carrion, fruits, berries, and acorns; also known to steal nestlings in order to feed its own young. Usually forages by walking, running, or hopping on the ground.
Readily Eats
Cracked Corn, Suet, Sunflower Seed
Vocalization
Yellow-billed Magpie: Call is an ascending whine. Also cries "kwah-kwah-kwah."
Similar Species
Yellow-billed Magpie: Black-billed Magpie is larger and has black bill and no bare yellow facial patches.