17 1/2-22" (44-56 cm). Iridescent
black above with white
shoulder and wing patches; white below with black throat and lower belly. Very
long, iridescent black tail. Pica
pica
(Black-billed
Magpie)
Physical
Description:
17 1/2-22" (44-56 cm).
Iridescent black above with white
shoulder and wing patches; white below with black throat and lower belly. Very
long, iridescent black tail.
Similar Species- Yellow-billed Magpie
Song:
A
nasal mag? mag? mag?
Distribution:
Resident
from portions of Alaska and western Canada, south to eastern California, southern
Nevada, southern Utah, extreme northeastern Arizona, northern New Mexico, western
and northeastern Oklahoma, and western Kansas.
Habitat:
Found (in either
arid or humid habitats) in open country (including grasslands), open situations
with scattered trees, shrubby areas, riparian and open woodlands, and
forest edges and farmlands.
Diet:
Eats insects, carrion, mice, snakes, some eggs
and young of small birds, and some grains and fruits.
Ecology:
Often forages on ground.
Usually seen in small flocks of 6-10 birds; larger flocks may form in winter.
Builds enclosed, spherical nest in tree or sometimes in shrub. Nests in scattered,
loose colonies, and roosts communally after breeding season, and especially
in winter (Alberta study found up to 150 birds in February and March). Abandoned
magpie nests often are used by other bird species as shelter, daytime retreat,
or nests. Individuals roost in dense thickets of deciduous trees or scrub, or, especially
in north in winter, in dense conifers. In Idaho, a number of studies have been
conducted on genetic variability, behavior, social organization, and nesting density/dispersion.
Reproduction:
Female incubates 5-8 eggs (usually 6-7)
for 16-18 days. Pair often remains monogamous for several years. Young reach
sexual maturity in 1 yr. Alberta study indicates that male parental care is
required for successful rearing of young.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABPAV09010 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S5 |
| National Rank: | N5 |
Important
State References:
Stone, E.R.
1991. The sociology of North American Black-billed Magpies (Pica pica hudsonia).
Ph.D. Dissertation, Idaho St. Univ., Pocatello. 71pp.