The black-billed magpie can be distinguished from the similar yellow-billed magpie by its longer tail and by the colour of the beak. Males are, on average, six to nine percent larger and sixteen to twenty-four percent heavier than females, at 167–216 grams (5.9–7.6 oz), a wingspan of 205–219 millimeters (8.1–8.6 in), and tail lengths of 230–320 millimeters (9.1–12.6 in). Unlike other members of the Corvidae family, the black-billed magpie is dimorphic in size and weight, though there can be overlap between the sexes. The beak is oblong and weakly curved toward the tip. The tail is made up of long, layered feathers, the middle pair of which extend further than the rest. It is largely black, with white scapulars, belly, and primaries, and the wings and tail are an iridescent blue-green. It is a medium-sized bird that measures 45–60 centimeters (18–24 in) from tip to tail. The black-billed magpie is an unmistakable bird within its range. Description A pair of magpies showing iridescent blue-green wings and tail A comparatively low genetic difference, however, suggests that some gene flow between the black-billed and yellow-billed magpies still occurred during interglacial periods until the Pleistocene. The yellow-billed magpie lineage likely split off soon after due to the Sierra Nevada uplift and the beginning on an ice age. From there the black-billed and Eurasian magpie species began to differentiate. įossil evidence suggests that the ancestral North American magpie arrived in its current range around the mid- Pliocene, approximately 3-4 mya (unit), having crossed the Bering land bridge. In 2000, the American Ornithologists' Union recognized the black-billed magpie as a separate species, Pica hudsonia. Black-billed magpies are also shown to have different social behavious and vocalizations from the Eurasian magpie, further indicating a difference in species. If this view is correct, the Korean subspecies of the European magpie, Pica pica sericea, should also be considered a separate species. It was also shown that the black-billed magpie was more closely related to California's yellow-billed magpie ( Pica nuttalli). The black-billed magpie was widely considered conspecific with the Eurasian magpie until mtDNA studies showed a relatively high divergence between the two species. The generic name Pica is the Latin word for magpie, and the specific name hudsonia is in honour of the English explorer Henry Hudson. Based on the black-billed magpies overall size and tail length differences, it was classified as the subspecies P. In previous encounters with the species prior to its description, it was presumed to be the Eurasian magpie ( Pica Pica) due to their visual similarities. The black-billed magpie was originally described in 1823 as Corvus Hudsonius by Joseph Sabine. Taxonomy and systematics In Yellowstone Bear World (near Idaho Falls, Idaho) Incubation, by the female only, starts when the clutch is complete, and lasts 16–21 days. The black-billed magpie is one of the few North American birds that build a domed nest, which is made up of twigs and sits near the top of trees, usually housing 6–7 eggs. The species also walks or hops on the ground, where it obtains food items such as beetles, grasshoppers, worms, and small rodents. Large predators such as wolves are commonly followed by black-billed magpies, who scavenge from their kills. Historically associated with bison herds, it now lands on the backs of cattle to glean ticks and insects from them. Where persecuted it becomes very wary, but otherwise it is fairly tolerant of human presence. It can therefore be found in farmlands and suburban areas, where it comes into regular contact with people. This species prefers generally open habitats with clumps of trees. It is one of only four North American songbirds whose tail makes up half or more of the total body length (the others being the yellow-billed magpie, the scissor-tailed flycatcher, and the fork-tailed flycatcher). It is black and white, with black areas on the wings and tail showing iridescent hints of blue or blue-green. The black-billed magpie ( Pica hudsonia), also known as the American magpie, is a bird in the corvid family found in the western half of North America.
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