Black-Billed Magpie vs American Crow

Black-Billed Magpie

Pica hudsonia

Also known as: American Magpie

How to recognise a black-billed magpie?

General appearance

The black-billed magpie is unmistakable with a size about that of a crow, mallard, or herring gull, varies between 17 1/2 -22 inches (44-56 cm). It possesses distinctive coloration, featuring a black body with a green and blue gloss on its wings and long, wedge-shaped tail. Its large white wing patches are particularly noticeable during flight.

Male vs female

There is little sexual dimorphism in black-billed magpies, which means males and females look very similar to one another. Both genders share the black coloration, along with the green-blue glossy wings. The wings are broad, either fingered or rounded, and their tails are long, wedge-shaped.

Juvenile

Juvenile black-billed magpies will have similar coloration to adults, but their colors may initially appear less vibrant with the glossy wing sheen developing as they mature. Similar to adults, the juveniles' wing patches flash white during flight.

Size

17.7 - 23.6 in/5.1 - 7.4 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The preferred habitat of the black-billed magpie includes rangeland, conifers, streamsides, forest edges, and farms, often residing in the western semi-open terrain.

Additional range

Unexpectedly, it is also found in some suburban areas. It avoids unbroken forest, treeless grasslands, and extreme deserts. Its most common locations are streamside groves in open terrain and farm country.

Range Map

What do black-billed magpies like to eat?

Natural diet

The black-billed magpie is omnivorous with a varied diet. Insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, flies, and beetles are consistently consumed. Other natural food sources include carrion, rodents, eggs, and young of other birds, as well as sometimes small snakes. In winter, their diet includes more vegetable matter like berries, seeds, and nuts.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, black-billed magpies may be attracted to seed mixes, especially those containing peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet. They may also take advantage of kitchen scraps and other foods offered to larger birds.

What does a black-billed magpie sound like?

The vocalizations of the Black-billed Magpie display a diverse range. Its typical calls can be described as rapid, nasal "mag? mag? mag?" or chatter-like "yak yak yak." The calls vary in pitch, characterized by a flat or rising pattern that is quite distinctive. Other vocalizations include chirps or chips, and sometimes raucous screams, indicating the bird's complex and dynamic communication repertoire. Their sound is distinct, engaging, and expressive, making them one of the more vocally varied species.

Call

Audio by Gabriel Leite

/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

How to recognise an American crow?

General appearance

The American Crow is a bird measuring 17-21 inches, or 43-53 centimeters, in length. It is easily identifiable by its complete black pigmentation and robust beak. Characteristic tail is rather short, ending in a shape close to a square when not in flight. In flight, the wings take a broad, fingered yet rounded shape. This species is noticeably larger compared to other members of the blackbird family.

Male vs female

Males and females are monomorphic, meaning they share similar appearances. Both sexes show the same strong all-black coloration from beak to feet and also share the same size, making it difficult to differentiate between them based on visual characteristics alone. They are both larger than other members of the blackbird family.

Juvenile

Juvenile crows bear a resemblance to the adults but can be identified by their slightly different voices and shapes. However, as they mature, these differences become less recognizable, and they assume full characteristics of the adults.

Size

16.9 - 20.9 in/11.1 - 20.3 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The American crow favors semi-open habitats, including farms, fields, and woodlands. It particularly thrives in the Pacific Northwest shores.

Additional range

While the crow avoids hot deserts, it has adapted to live in an array of environments consisting of towns and even cities, often nesting in city parks.

Range Map

What do American crows like to eat?

Natural diet

The American crow is omnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of natural food sources. Its diet includes insects, spiders, snails, earthworms, frogs, small snakes, shellfish, and carrion. Additionally, crows consume garbage, eggs, and the young of other birds, as well as plant-based foods like seeds, grains, berries, and fruit.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, American crows may consume various offerings that include unsalted peanuts, sunflower seeds, and corn. They are also attracted to suet, oats, and any leftover scraps or pieces of fruits and vegetables that are available.

What does an American crow sound like?

The American crow is known for its familiar "caw-caw" or "caa-caa" vocalizations. Its call patterns are simple, flat, and falling in nature. Additionally, the crow produces a rattle-like sound that is raucous and immediately recognizable. These vocalizations form the fundamental linguistic component of the American crow's communication.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Call

Audio by Richard E. Webster

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Richard E. Webster

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about American Crow

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Black-Billed Magpie

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American Crow

Black-Billed Magpie

Pica hudsonia

Also known as: American Magpie

General appearance

The black-billed magpie is unmistakable with a size about that of a crow, mallard, or herring gull, varies between 17 1/2 -22 inches (44-56 cm). It possesses distinctive coloration, featuring a black body with a green and blue gloss on its wings and long, wedge-shaped tail. Its large white wing patches are particularly noticeable during flight.

Male vs female

There is little sexual dimorphism in black-billed magpies, which means males and females look very similar to one another. Both genders share the black coloration, along with the green-blue glossy wings. The wings are broad, either fingered or rounded, and their tails are long, wedge-shaped.

Juvenile

Juvenile black-billed magpies will have similar coloration to adults, but their colors may initially appear less vibrant with the glossy wing sheen developing as they mature. Similar to adults, the juveniles' wing patches flash white during flight.

Size

17.7 - 23.6 in/5.1 - 7.4 oz

There's more to learn about Black-Billed Magpie

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American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

General appearance

The American Crow is a bird measuring 17-21 inches, or 43-53 centimeters, in length. It is easily identifiable by its complete black pigmentation and robust beak. Characteristic tail is rather short, ending in a shape close to a square when not in flight. In flight, the wings take a broad, fingered yet rounded shape. This species is noticeably larger compared to other members of the blackbird family.

Male vs female

Males and females are monomorphic, meaning they share similar appearances. Both sexes show the same strong all-black coloration from beak to feet and also share the same size, making it difficult to differentiate between them based on visual characteristics alone. They are both larger than other members of the blackbird family.

Juvenile

Juvenile crows bear a resemblance to the adults but can be identified by their slightly different voices and shapes. However, as they mature, these differences become less recognizable, and they assume full characteristics of the adults.

Size

16.9 - 20.9 in/11.1 - 20.3 oz

There's more to learn about American Crow

View full details

How to tell the Black-Billed Magpie from the American Crow

Visual differences

The Black-Billed Magpie measures 17.5-22 inches, with a striking black body, green-blue glossy wing sheen, and prominent white wing patches noticeable during flight. It has a long, wedge-shaped tail. The American Crow, slightly smaller at 17-21 inches, is uniformly black, including its robust beak, and features a shorter, square-ended tail. Both have broad, fingered, rounded wings, but the magpie's defined color contrast and tail shape set them apart from the all-black crow.

Key differences and behavior

The Black-Billed Magpie and American Crow display distinctive behaviors and habitat preferences. Magpies are known for their use of scent in foraging and their "mischief," often stealing eggs and food. They inhabit western semi-open areas, avoiding dense forests and deserts, and construct large, globular stick nests. American Crows, sociable and intelligent, live in various environments including cities, using tools and forming large family groups with young helpers. Magpies maintain pair bonds through mutual nest-building, while crows include previous offspring in chick-rearing. Both birds are omnivorous but have different foraging tactics: magpies raid nests for eggs and insects, while crows feed on a wider variety including garbage. Both species frequent bird feeders, attracted to seeds and scraps.