Black-Billed Magpie or Yellow-Billed Magpie?
Here's how to tell the difference
Black-Billed Magpie
Yellow-Billed Magpie
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
View full detailsYellow-Billed Magpie
Pica nuttalli
General appearance
The Yellow-billed Magpie, standing between 16-18 inches (41-46 cm), is about the size of a Crow or Mallard. Colors are predominantly black, blue, green, white, and yellow. Most striking is the bright yellow bill and yellow skin near the eyes. It has a long, wedge-shaped tail, round and broad wings with finger-like extensions.
Male vs female
Both male and female yellow-billed magpies are similar in appearance, with no significant differences in size or coloration to easily distinguish them. Both sexes possess the distinctive yellow bill and surrounding yellow eye skin.
Juvenile
Juvenile Yellow-billed Magpies initially have less vibrant coloration than adults. Beak color gradually changes from initially dark to the characteristic bright yellow as the bird matures. They achieve their adult size and pigmentation at an early age.
Size
16.9 - 21.3 in/5.3 - 6.0 oz
There's more to learn about Yellow-Billed Magpie
View full detailsHow to tell the Black-Billed Magpie from the Yellow-Billed Magpie
Visual differences
The Black-Billed Magpie (17.5-22 inches) features a black body with green-blue gloss on wings, and a notable white wing patch. Its bill is black. In contrast, the Yellow-Billed Magpie (16-18 inches) displays a bright yellow bill and yellow skin around the eyes, with a similar black, blue, and green plumage. Both have long, wedge-shaped tails and broad wings, but the striking yellow facial features of the Yellow-Billed Magpie are key identifiers.
Key differences and behavior
The Black-Billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) and Yellow-Billed Magpie (Pica nuttalli) exhibit distinct behavioral differences in the field. Black-Billed Magpies are known for their mischievous behavior, using scent to locate food and often stealing from other sources, while Yellow-Billed Magpies are more social, flocking consistently. In terms of habitat, Black-Billed Magpies favor western semi-open areas and streamside groves, whereas Yellow-Billed Magpies prefer oak savannas and riverside groves. Breeding behavior also differs: Black-Billed Magpies build massive stick nests collaboratively, while Yellow-Billed Magpies construct intricate dome-shaped nests and engage in mutual preening and feeding for pair bonding. Their diets overlap, both consuming insects and bird eggs, but Black-Billed Magpies also eat rodents and snakes, while Yellow-Billed Magpies forage more on fruits and grains. Both species utilize bird feeders but may appear more often based on food scarcity in their natural habitats.
Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!
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