Watercolor portrait of Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)

Black-billed Magpie

Pica hudsonia
Found across western and central North A… Look for it in open country with scatter… Common Chattering song

Learn to identify the Black-billed Magpie by ear. Master the "mag-mag-mag, chrrr-chee-chee!" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“mag-mag-mag, chrrr-chee-chee!”

What the Black-billed Magpie sounds like

Flashy, bold, and impossible to ignore, the Black-billed Magpie is a long-tailed black-and-white corvid with a blue-green shimmer. It struts across fields and fence lines, then lifts into a bouncy flight with the tail streaming behind like a ribbon.

“mag-mag-mag, chrrr-chee-chee!”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:Not a sweet melody. It's a scratchy mix of chatters, squeaks, and gurgles, often given from a perch near the nest. Often written as “mag-mag-mag, chrrr-chee-chee!”.
Don't confuse with:The Yellow-billed Magpie — has a yellow bill and yellow skin around the eye, not all black in the face.

Where you'll hear it

Look for it in open country with scattered trees—ranches, prairie edges, farmsteads, suburbs, and cottonwood-lined creeks. It likes room to forage on the ground and sturdy trees or shrubs for nesting.

You can spot Black-billed Magpies in every season. Spring is loud and busy with nest-building, summer brings family groups, and winter often gathers birds around towns, roadsides, and livestock areas.

Similar species

Yellow-billed Magpie

Has a yellow bill and yellow skin around the eye, not all black in the face.

American Crow

Entirely black, with no white patches anywhere on the body.

Common Raven

Much larger, with a heavier bill and a shaggy throat.

Black-billed Magpie song FAQ

What does a Black-billed Magpie sound like?
Not a sweet melody. It's a scratchy mix of chatters, squeaks, and gurgles, often given from a perch near the nest. Listen for the "mag-mag-mag, chrrr-chee-chee!" phrase.
How do I tell a Black-billed Magpie from a Yellow-billed Magpie by sound?
Yellow-billed Magpie: Has a yellow bill and yellow skin around the eye, not all black in the face.; Range is mostly California's Central Valley, while Black-billed Magpie is widespread across the West and Great Plains.; Usually looks a bit smaller and shorter-tailed overall..
When is the best time to hear a Black-billed Magpie?
You can spot Black-billed Magpies in every season. Spring is loud and busy with nest-building, summer brings family groups, and winter often gathers birds around towns, roadsides, and livestock areas.