Black-billed magpie
Black-billed magpie | |
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In Flagstaff County, Alberta | |
Black-billed magpie vocalizations | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Corvidae |
Genus: | Pica |
Species: | P. hudsonia
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Binomial name | |
Pica hudsonia (Sabine, 1823)
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Year-round range Winter range
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The black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia), also known as the American magpie, is a bird in the
This species prefers generally open habitats with clumps of trees, but can also commonly be found in farmlands and suburban areas. Historically associated with bison herds, it now lands on the backs of cattle to glean ticks and insects from them. Black-billed magpies commonly follow large predators, such as wolves, to scavenge from their kills. The species also walks or hops on the ground, where it obtains food items such as beetles, grasshoppers, worms, and small rodents.
The black-billed magpie builds domed
Black-billed magpies have a long history with humans, being featured in stories told by
Taxonomy and systematics
The black-billed magpie was originally described in 1823 as Corvus Hudsonius by Joseph Sabine.[2] 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. Based on the black-billed magpie's smaller size and longer tail and wing length, it was classified as the subspecies P. pica hudsonia. The generic name Pica is the Latin word for magpie, and the specific name hudsonia is in honour of the English explorer Henry Hudson.[3]
The word "magpie" comes from a combination of "Mag", which was a nickname for Margaret, and "pie", which was the Middle English word for the Eurasian magpie. The name Margaret was associated with chattiness in the early 15th century, and was applied to the magpie because its vocalizations were thought to sound like a person chattering.[4]
The black-billed magpie was widely considered
Fossil evidence suggests that the ancestral North American magpie arrived in its current range around the mid-
Description
The black-billed magpie is an unmistakable bird within its range. It is a medium-sized bird that measures 45–60 centimeters (18–24 in) from tip to tail. It is largely black, with white
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. 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), an individual wing chord of 205–219 millimeters (8.1–8.6 in), and tail lengths of 230–320 millimeters (9.1–12.6 in). Females weigh between 141–179 grams (5.0–6.3 oz), have individual wing chords of 175–210 millimeters (6.9–8.3 in), and tail lengths of 232–300 millimeters (9.1–11.8 in).[10]
Juveniles have less iridescence on their wings and tail, buffier scapulars and belly, and they lack the distinctive long tail feathers. Their
The black-billed magpie can be distinguished from the similar yellow-billed magpie by its longer tail and by the colour of the beak. Eurasian magpies are visually very similar to black-billed magpies; however, Eurasian magpies are slightly larger and have shorter tails and wings. They can also be distinguished based on their different vocalizations, as well as by their non-overlapping ranges.[3]
Vocalizations
The vocalizations of the black-billed magpie consist of a number of calls variously described as tweets, coos, purrs, shrills and squawks, but the most common is an alarm call, called a chatter, that is described as a ka-ka-ka-ka, sometimes preceded with a skah-skah.[3] This call is very different from that of the Eurasian magpie and is similar to that of the yellow-billed magpie.[6] At least one black-billed magpie, living with humans, has learned to imitate human speech.[12]
Distribution and habitat
Black-billed magpies are generally
During the breeding season the preferred habitat is
Behaviour
Breeding and nesting
Adult black-billed magpie typically form pairs which last year-round and often for life, in which case the remaining magpie may find another mate. "Divorces" are possible; one South Dakota study found low rates of divorce (8%) but one study in Alberta found that pairs had a 63% divorce rate over a 7-year period.[15][16]
Black-billed magpies
Nests are loose but large accumulations of branches, twigs, grass, rootlets, mud, fur, and other materials. Branches and twigs constitute the base and framework, while mud is used as anchor and in the nest cup. The cup is lined with materials found nearby, often grass, rootlets, and other soft material. A hood or dome is present on almost all nests, and if formed of twigs and branches that are loosely assembled. The nest will usually have a single side entrance. Nests are built by both sexes over 40–50 days, starting in February (though later in northern parts of the range). Nests have been shown to be quite durable, and occasionally old nests are repaired and reused across multiple breeding seasons.[17]
If regularly disturbed, black-billed magpie pairs will aggressively defend their nest. If the disturbances continue, they will eventually either move the eggs or abandon the clutch altogether. Biologists who have climbed nest trees to measure magpie eggs have reported that the parents recognized them personally on subsequent days and started to
Black-billed magpies generally start breeding in late March, with the breeding season ending in early July. While they typically only nest once per year, a second nesting may take place if the initial nesting fails early. The average
Feeding
The black-billed magpie is an opportunistic omnivore, eating whatever is readily available, including carrion, insects, seeds, berries, and nuts. When living near humans, they will also eat garbage and food from pets or livestock that are fed outside. They have been known to hunt rodents, reptiles, amphibians, small birds, and have also been seen eating eggs of other birds. Black-billed magpies primarily feed on animal matter during the summer, and in the winter switch to more vegetation. Chicks are fed animal matter almost exclusively. Magpies typically forage on the ground, scratching with their feet or beaks to turn over ground litter. They often follow large predators, such as wolves, to scavenge or steal from their kills.[7] They sometimes land on large mammals, such as moose, cattle, or deer, to pick at the ticks that often plague these animals.[19][20]
Black-billed magpies are also known to make food caches in the ground, in
Social interactions
Black-billed magpies often form loose flocks outside of the breeding season. Dominance hierarchies typically develop within such flocks, more linearly among males than among females. Dominants can steal food from subordinates. Aggressive interactions also occur at point sources of food. Surprisingly, young males appear dominant over adult males, though this may simply reflect the adults' lack of motivation to engage in fights as they can more easily find food.[22][23] Fights are rare and involve jumps and kicks. Dominance is more generally established through displays, such as stretching the body laterally with the bill raised and the nictitating membrane of the eye flashing (only on the side of the opponent).[3]
Magpies often gather excitedly in trees near the body of a dead magpie, calling loudly, a poorly-understood behaviour called a funeral.[7]
Roosting
Magpies tend to
Flight
Level flight appears slow and labored. As measured in wind tunnels, minimum and maximum sustained flight speeds are 14.5 and 50 km/h (9 and 31 mph), respectively.[28] Flight is commonly interrupted by nonflapping phases. Descents from heights consist of repeated J-shaped swoops with the wings nearly closed.[3]
Relationship with humans
Black-billed magpies feature in stories told by various Indigenous tribes from the Great Plains. One story, sometimes known as "The Great Race", features a magpie working with humans in a race against the bison to determine who would be hunter and who would be prey. The race was narrowly won by the magpie, who had clung to the back of the bison until near the end, making humans the hunters and bison the hunted.[29]
When Lewis and Clark first encountered black-billed magpies in 1804 in South Dakota, they reported the birds as being very bold, entering tents and taking food from the hand.[30] Magpies formerly followed American bison herds, from which they would glean ticks and other insects, as well as the Indigenous tribes that hunted the bison so they could scavenge carcasses. When the bison herds were devastated in the 1870s, magpies switched to cattle, and by the 1960s, they had also moved into the emerging towns and cities of the West. Today, black-billed magpies remain relatively tame in areas where they are not hunted. However, they become very wary in areas where they are often shot at or disturbed.[31] Black-billed magpies were thought to be harmful to the population of game birds (due to them sometimes stealing bird eggs) and domestic stock (pecking at sores on cattle), and were systematically trapped or shot during the first half of the 20th century. Bounties of one cent per egg or two cents per head were offered in many states.[22] In 1933, bounty hunters in the Okanogan valley in Washington shot 1,033 magpies.[32] Magpies also died as a result of eating poison set out for predators.[31]
Black-billed magpies are considered a pest by some because of their reputation for stealing songbird eggs. Studies have shown, however, that eggs make up only a small proportion of what magpies feed on during the reproductive season, and that songbird populations do not fare worse in the presence of magpies.[7]
A common misconception about magpies in general is that they like to steal bright or shiny things. This reputation belongs to the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica) rather than the black-billed magpie, and at any rate an experiment conducted at Exeter University has shown that the reputation is undeserved. Eurasian magpies displayed caution around shiny objects rather than being attracted to them.[33]
Conservation status
Because of its wide range and generally stable population, the black-billed magpie is rated as a species of
In the United States, black-billed magpies are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but "[a] Federal permit shall not be required to control ... [magpies] when found committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance". State or local regulations may limit or prohibit killing these birds as well.[35]
In Canada, however, black-billed magpies do not appear on the list of birds protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act.[36] Provincial laws also apply, but in Alberta, magpies may be hunted and trapped without a license.[37]
A detriment to the overall black-billed magpie population is toxic chemicals, particularly topical pesticides applied on the backs of livestock. Because black-billed magpies sometimes glean ticks off the backs of cattle, this proves a problem. However, in some areas, it has benefited from forest fragmentation and agricultural developments.[31] Like many corvids, it is susceptible to West Nile virus.[38]
References
- ^ a b BirdLife International (2017) [amended version of 2016 assessment]. "Pica hudsonia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T103727176A111465610. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ISBN 066535178X. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ . Retrieved July 11, 2022.
- ^ "Etymology of magpie". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- JSTOR 1369173. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ .
- ^ ISBN 0-85661-067-4.
- JSTOR 4089622.
- JSTOR 1364980.
- ^ Reese, K.P.; Kadlex, J.A. (1982). "Determining the sex of Black-billed Magpies by external measurements" (PDF). Journal of Field Ornithology. 53: 417–418. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- JSTOR 1366522. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "This Talking magpie is Amazing!". YouTube.
- JSTOR 41711476.
- JSTOR 1367336.
- JSTOR 1368429.
- doi:10.1139/z92-095.
- ^ JSTOR 1365958. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
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- JSTOR 1369914.
- S2CID 220922618. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- JSTOR 1367139.
- ^ a b Trost, C.H. & Webb C. L. (1997). "The effect of sibling competition on the subsequent social status of juvenile North American Black-billed Magpies (Pica pica hudsonia)". Acta Ornithologica. 32: 111–119.
- S2CID 53163369.
- ^ Reebs, S.G. (1987). "Roost characteristics and roosting behaviour of Black-billed Magpies, Pica pica, in Edmonton, Alberta". Canadian Field-Naturalist. 101: 519–525.
- doi:10.1139/z86-243.
- JSTOR 1368284.
- ^ Reebs, S.G. & Boag, D.A. (1987). "Regurgitated pellets and late winter diet of Black-billed Magpies, Pica pica, in central Alberta". Canadian Field-Naturalist. 101: 108–110.
- PMID 9317775.
- hdl:1808/34656.
- ISBN 978-0-87417-080-1.
- ^ . Retrieved December 17, 2023.
- ^ Link, Russell (2005). "Living with Wildlife - Magpie" (PDF). Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- S2CID 717341.
- ^ "Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)". wildlife-species.canada.ca. Government of Canada. August 19, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations Section 21.43. gpo.gov
- ^ Birds protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act Archived 2019-05-20 at the Wayback Machine canada.ca
- ^ Alberta Wildlife Act, Schedule 4, Part 6 Non‑licence Animals qp.alberta.ca
- S2CID 244661736.
Further reading
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Living with Wildlife; Facts about Magpies
- Black-billed magpie species account—Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-billed magpie—Birds of the world
External links
- Black-billed magpie photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)