Black-billed Magpie

The Black-billed Magpie is a striking, large-bodied songbird instantly recognizable by its extremely long, graduated tail, contrasting black and white plumage, and flashes of iridescent blue-green on the wings and tail. Measuring up to 22 inches long including the tail, it possesses a loud, chattering call and a bold, intelligent demeanor.

Striking bicolored pattern featuring a crisp white distal tip and a deep iridescent blue-black basal/central block, melanin-based coloration with structural iridescence on the dark portion

Pennaceous vane distally transitioning into a slightly plumulaceous base, with well-developed interlocking barbicels and a small, underdeveloped afterfeather

Smooth, glossy, and slightly stiff texture on the pennaceous portion with a soft, downy feel at the extreme base, exhibiting a satin sheen

Distinctive sharp demarcation between a pure white distal section and a rich, glossy blue-black basal area, typical of upper body contour feathers in magpies

Open country, foothills, sagebrush plains, agricultural fields, and forest edges, often near rivers or streams

Western and central North America, extending from Alaska and western Canada down through the Rocky Mountain states and Great Plains

Acts as an opportunistic omnivore and scavenger, playing a key role in nutrient recycling, seed dispersal, and occasionally acting as an ecosystem sentinel

Yellow-billed Magpie (Pica nuttalli), though its range is restricted to California and it features a bright yellow bill and facial skin rather than black

Magpies are among the few non-mammal species known to recognize themselves in a mirror, demonstrating advanced self-awareness and high intelligence

Good condition with intact barbs, minimal wear along the edges, and no visible fault bars or parasitic damage