Black-billed Magpie (American Magpie)

This feather belongs to the Black-billed Magpie, a flamboyant member of the crow family known for its extremely long tail and bold black-and-white plumage. In flight, the white patches on the primaries create a flickering translucent effect against the sky. The bird has a heavy bill and a social, often noisy disposition.

A striking contrast of iridescent black-blue and pure white. The outer web and the tip of the inner web are a deep, glossy black with blue/green structural iridescence, while a large white 'flash' or patch occupies the basal and medial portion of the inner vane.

Densely packed pennaceous barbs throughout the upper two-thirds for aerodynamic structural integrity; some plumulaceous (downy) barbs present at the very base (calamus area). The barbs are tightly interlocked by hooked barbules.

Smooth, stiff, and glossy. The upper surface has a structural sheen (iridescence) that shifts from black to deep blue/green depending on the light angle, while the white section is matte.

Bold white patch on the inner vane of an otherwise black primary feather; distinct structural iridescence on the black sections; strong asymmetry and emargination.

Open woodlands, riparian thickets, rangelands, and suburban areas. Prefers areas with a mix of open ground for foraging and dense thickets or trees for nesting.

Common throughout Western North America, ranging from Alaska and western Canada south to Arizona and New Mexico, and east to the Great Plains.

Omnivorous scavenger and predator; they play a role in pest control by eating ticks off the backs of large ungulates (like deer and elk), but also act as nest predators of smaller birds.

Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) feathers are nearly identical but found in a different geographic range. Steller's Jay feathers lack the large white primary patches and are more consistently blue/black.

Magpies are among the most intelligent animals in the world, capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors (the mirror test). They are also known for building massive, domed nests of sticks that can take up to 40 days to complete.

Fair condition; showing some signs of wear and separation of the barbs (zipper failure) near the mid-section. The calamus appears intact, suggesting it was naturally molted.