Black-billed Magpie Identification Guide
A large, boldly black-and-white corvid with an unmistakable long, iridescent tail, common across open country of the western interior.
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Key Field Marks
- Large corvid, about 19 inches long, roughly half of which is an extremely long, graduated, iridescent green-black tail.
- Bold black-and-white pattern: black head, breast, back, and tail contrasting with a white belly and white scapular (shoulder) patch.
- In flight, shows large white patches at the base of the primaries and an iridescent green-blue sheen on the wings and tail in good light.
- Bill and legs black.
- Sexes look similar; juveniles are duller with a shorter tail.
Similar Species
- Yellow-billed Magpie is the only real look-alike, but it has a yellow bill and yellow skin around the eye and is restricted to California's Central Valley and nearby foothills — ranges of the two species barely, if ever, overlap.
- No other North American bird shares the combination of a black-and-white body and dramatically long tail.
Habitat & Behavior
- Open and semi-open country: sagebrush flats, rangeland, pastures, riparian corridors, and foothill scrub, often near livestock.
- Bold, gregarious, and highly vocal, frequently seen in small flocks or family groups.
- An opportunistic omnivore, eating insects, small vertebrates, carrion, and food scraps around ranches and towns.
- Builds large, conspicuous domed stick nests, often reused or refurbished across years.
Range & Season
- Resident year-round from interior Alaska and western Canada south through the Rocky Mountain states and Great Basin to eastern California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, extending onto the western Great Plains.
- Non-migratory but may wander locally outside the breeding season, occasionally straying east of its core range.
Voice
- Harsh, nasal, questioning calls, often rendered "mag? mag? mag?" or a rapid chattering "chack-chack-chack," given frequently and audible over long distances.
Frequently asked questions
How do I distinguish Black-billed Magpie from Yellow-billed Magpie?
Bill color and range: Black-billed Magpie has a black bill and a wide western distribution, while Yellow-billed Magpie has a yellow bill and yellow eye-skin and is confined to California's Central Valley region.
What kind of habitat does Black-billed Magpie prefer?
Open country such as sagebrush, rangeland, pastures, and riparian corridors across the western interior, often near ranches and livestock.
Is Black-billed Magpie migratory?
No, it is a year-round resident throughout its range, though individuals may wander locally, especially in winter.
What does its call sound like?
A harsh, nasal 'mag? mag? mag?' or a fast chattering 'chack-chack-chack,' both quite loud and easy to hear at a distance.