Black-billed
MagpieBlack-billed Magpie -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 18-21 inches | Wingspan: 24 inches | Seasonality: All Seasons |
| ID Keys: Distinctive, black overall with white belly, sides, and wing patch, extremely long tail. | ||
Black-billed
Magpie
Pica pica
A boldly patterned bird of the western U.S., with massive domed nests that may be more than three feet wide in diameter. Black-billed Magpies were once commonly kept as cage birds. They were often the direct targets of farmers and ranchers trying to eliminate them, and were indirectly affected by poison baits set out for predators. They are now once again common and widespread.
Habitat: Prefers mixed habitat, avoids unbroken forest or treeless prairie. Includes rangeland (with trees), farms and farmland, riparian areas, shelterbelts, and residential areas.
Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on insects, rodents, eggs and bird young, reptiles, snakes, carrion, seeds, nuts, fruits and berries.
Nesting: May through July
Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map
Song: Noisy, with a variety of calls. Black-billed Magpie Call.
Migrations: Permanent resident throughout its range.
Similar Species: Yellow-billed Magpie (only found in California)
Status: Still common in its range, although thousands were once killed by poison baits set out for predators.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Black-billed Magpie
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Black-billed Magpie"
3) eNature.com: Black-billed Magpie
Photo Information: August 25th, 2004 -- Near Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park -- Terry L. Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Black-billed Magpie photos.
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| South Dakota Status: Uncommon resident in the western half of the state, and areas near the Missouri River. Occasional winter visitor in the rest of the state. |
| Additional Black-billed Magpie Photos | ||
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| Black-billed Magpie 1 | Black-billed Magpie 2 | Black-billed Magpie 3 |
Proud Member Of:
Range Map Reference: NatureServe
Click here for other references used to compile this page
Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
