Black-Billed Magpie

The black-billed magpie is a member of the crow family and commonly found in the western half of North America. It is one of only four North American birds that the tail makes up half of the bird's length. The bird is black with white shoulders, a white belly, and iridescent dark wings and tail.

Any trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is highlighted with critters that like a free hand out. The black-billed magpie is one of these little thieves and you must be constantly wary or they will take a sandwich or cracker right out of your hand. It is strongly discouraged to feed these animals as cute as they are. When winter arrives and the crowds thin the poor little guys are left to fend for themselves and many starve to death. I never feed them but I do take advantage of their precocious nature and catch their pictures when they get close.

Magpie
A black-billed magpie rests on a dead branch and inquisitively watches my progress hiking on a snow packed trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Magpie Silhouette
A black silhouette of a black-billed magpie perched on a single branch and set on a background of a deep azure evening sky.
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