From Opus

Photo by colorob

Pica hudsonia

[edit] Identification:

A large (45-56cm length) dramatically contrasted black and white bird with iridescent feathers typical of the corvidae family, including greens and purples.

One of four passerines with tails longer than their bodies in North America; the others are Yellow-billed Magpie, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Fork-tailed Flycatcher.

[edit] Similar Species

Similar to the Yellow-billed Magpie (P. nuttalli), but the former is to be found only in central California, whereas P. hudsonia has a far greater range, and is larger. It is the magpie to be found in the rest of the west and mid-west.

[edit] Distribution:

Western North America: southern Alaska, and from eastern British Columbia, eastward to western Ontario, southward through the western and midwestern United States to northern Arizona. In central California it is replaced by the Yellow-billed Magpie.

[edit] Taxonomy

This species was formerly considered conspecific with (same species as) Common Magpie Pica pica.

[edit] Habitat

Open country with brush and groves of trees; common in Great Basin high sage desert and the plains states, especially in riparian areas.

[edit] Behaviour

Usually seen in small groups, with much interaction.

[edit] Diet

Perches in trees or bushes, dropping to the ground to forage for insects and larvae. A carrion scavenger; probably most often seen as it picks at roadkill in small groups.

[edit] Breeding

Builds large, intricate dome-shaped structures of mud and sticks for nesting.

[edit] External Links