Black-billed Magpie (American Magpie)

The Black-billed Magpie is a striking, highly intelligent bird known for its dramatic black-and-white plumage highlighted by iridescent blue-green wings and tail, coupled with an exceptionally long, graduated tail. It is a bold and vocal member of the corvid family.

Striking bicolored pattern consisting of a deep, glossy black base with strong iridescent greenish-blue sheen under direct light, sharply contrasted by a clean, stark white terminal or lateral margin. The rachis matches the color of the vane section it traverses.

Pennaceous structure with tightly interlocked barbs and barbules creating a firm, smooth vane. No afterfeather is present. The barbs are fully intact and well-maintained.

Smooth, glossy, and silky with a firm, rigid vane structure. The surface exhibits a polished sheen characteristic of high-quality corvid plumage.

Sharp, clean demarcation between deep glossy black and pure white, with a firm pennaceous structure and characteristic corvid feather rigidity.

Open country, scrublands, agricultural fields, river valleys, and edges of coniferous forests, often near human habitations.

Western and central North America, ranging from Alaska down through the western United States and into parts of the Great Plains and southwestern Canada. Non-migratory resident.

Acts as an omnivorous scavenger and predator, helping control insect populations and cleaning up organic matter. They also build large, domed stick nests that are frequently reused by other species.

Yellow-billed Magpie (Pica nuttalli), whose feathers are nearly identical except for localized geographic distribution in California, and various jay species which typically lack the large, clean black-and-white contrasting blocks.

Magpies are among the few non-mammal species known to pass the mirror self-recognition test, demonstrating high cognitive ability and complex social structures.

Excellent condition. The feather appears fresh, with intact barbs, no visible wear, fading, fraying, or parasite damage.