Black-billed Magpie
Pica hudsonia

1/320s at f5.0, ISO:320, Canon Mark II 1Ds w/600mm,


The black-billed magpie, also known as the American magpie, is a bird in the crow family that inhabits the western half of North America, from southern coastal Alaska to northern California, northern Arizona, northern New Mexico, central Kansas, and Nebraska. This species prefers generally open habitats with clumps of trees. It can therefore be found in farmlands and suburban areas, where it comes into regular contact with people. Where persecuted it becomes very wary, but otherwise it is fairly tolerant of human presence. Historically associated with bison herds, it now lands on the back of cattle to glean ticks and insects from them. Large predators such as wolves are commonly followed by black-billed magpies, which scavenge from their kills. The species also walks on the ground, where it obtains such food items as beetles, grasshoppers, worms, and small rodents. The black-billed magpie is one of the few North American birds that build a domed nest. This nest is made up of twigs and sits near the top of trees. Usually 6 to 7 eggs are laid. Incubation, by the female only, starts when the clutch is complete, and lasts 16 to 21 days. The nestling period is 3 to 4 weeks.
Rocky Mountain N.P., CO
 
03/03/2009