Yellow-billed Magpie
ExploreBirds
Yellow-billed Magpie
Pica nuttalli
The Yellow-billed Magpie is a beautiful bird with a bright yellow bill and shiny black and white feathers. They are known for their playful nature and can often be seen hopping around in groups.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Yellow-billed Magpie has striking black and white plumage with an iridescent green-blue sheen on its wings and tail. Its most distinctive features are its bright yellow bill and a small yellow patch of skin around each eye, making it unique among magpies.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyCorvidaeGenusPica
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Magpies have been observed holding 'funerals' for their dead, showing complex emotions.
Their huge, dome-shaped nests are built with sticks and mud, often having multiple entrances!
They only live in California, making them a unique USA native!
Yellow-billed Magpies are one of the few bird species that can recognize themselves in a mirror!
Special abilities
Ability
Clever Problem-Solver
Yellow-billed Magpies can use tools and solve complex puzzles because of their remarkable intelligence.
Ability
Sound Mimicry
Yellow-billed Magpies can imitate various sounds, including other bird calls and human speech, to communicate.
Ability
Food Hider
Yellow-billed Magpies can cleverly hide excess food in many secret spots that helps them find meals later.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 41-51 cm
- Wingspan
- 57-64 cm
- Weight
- 0.15-0.21 kg
- Lifespan
- 7-15 years
- Top Speed
- 45 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 5-8
- Incubation
- 16-18 days
- Migration Distance
- 0 km
Diet & Feeding
These clever birds eat a varied diet of insects, seeds, fruits, and even small animals.
Primary Foods
- Insects
- Acorns
- Seeds
- Berries
- Carrion
- Small Rodents
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Juvenile magpies are prey for raptors like this hawk.
depends on
Valley Oak
Quercus lobata
They nest and forage in the native oak trees of California.
eats
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California Vole
Microtus californicus
Magpies often hunt small rodents, like voles, in grasslands.
eaten by
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Snakes sometimes raid magpie nests for eggs or chicks.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Singing
Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Watch these birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Yellow-billed Magpie?
41-51 cm
What is Yellow-billed Magpie's wingspan?
57-64 cm
How much does Yellow-billed Magpie weigh?
0.15-0.21 kg
How long does Yellow-billed Magpie live?
7-15 years
How fast can Yellow-billed Magpie move?
45 km/h
What does Yellow-billed Magpie eat?
These clever birds eat a varied diet of insects, seeds, fruits, and even small animals.
Where is Yellow-billed Magpie usually found?
Grasslands
How does Yellow-billed Magpie hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
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