BIRDS

Black-billed Magpie, Pica hudsonia

Family Corvidae (Jays, Crows)

Size: 19"

Range: Western United States

Habitat: Riparian areas, open woodlands, pastures, rural areas

The black-billed magpie is a heavy, broad-winged bird with an extremely long, graduated tail. It has striking pied plumage, being black on the head, upper breast, and back, dark iridescent green-blue on the wings and tail, and crisp white on the scapulars and belly. The legs are dark and stout, and the bill is thick at the base. Juvenile birds have a much shorter tail. Magpies travel in small groups, and are opportunistic feeders of insects, nuts, eggs, or carrion. The voice is a whining, questioning mag? or a harsh wok-wok.

Track size: 1½" wide x 2¼" long

Description of Track: Feet are artiodactyl, with toe one to the rear and toes two, three, and four to the front. All toes are thick with well-defined digital pads, and all are almost equal in length. The track lacks a metatarsal pad, which often leaves an open area in the center. The claws are fairly long and thick, and usually obvious in the track. Magpies use a walking or hopping gait, and their tracks are similar to the raven and crow but smaller and less robust.