Magpies are highly intelligent members of the corvid family, which also includes crows and ravens, known for their striking black and white plumage and long, iridescent tails. These birds are not distributed across the entire country but are exclusively found in the Western half of the United States. Their presence is limited to specific geographic ranges, primarily west of the central Great Plains, where two distinct species have established their permanent homes. Understanding where magpies live in the US requires differentiating between these two species and their unique habitat requirements.
The Two Magpie Species Found in the US
The United States is home to two species of magpies, which share the characteristic black and white coloring but differ significantly in their geographic distribution. The first and most widespread species is the Black-billed Magpie, scientifically known as Pica hudsonia. This bird is found across a large expanse of the interior West. The second species is the Yellow-billed Magpie, or Pica nuttalli, which possesses a remarkably restricted range. The primary physical distinction between the two species lies in the color of their bills. The Black-billed Magpie has an entirely black beak, while the Yellow-billed Magpie is immediately identifiable by its bright yellow bill. The Yellow-billed Magpie is an endemic species, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world except for a small portion of California.
Range of the Black-billed Magpie
The Black-billed Magpie has the most expansive range of the two species, occupying much of the high-elevation and arid regions of the Western United States. This bird is a familiar sight in the Rocky Mountain states, where its territory includes Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. Their range extends southward into parts of northern Arizona and New Mexico. The magpie’s presence continues westward into the Pacific Northwest, covering significant portions of Washington and Oregon. This western distribution generally follows areas that offer a mix of open land and scattered trees. The species also pushes eastward into the northern Great Plains, found across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The eastern edge of their range is generally considered the central Great Plains. The Black-billed Magpie’s success is due to its high adaptability to various western environments. They are permanent residents and do not migrate, though individuals may move to lower elevations during the harsh winter months.
The Highly Localized Yellow-billed Magpie
The Yellow-billed Magpie’s distribution is unique, as its entire existence is confined to a single state. This species is endemic to California, concentrated within the Central Valley and the surrounding foothills. Specifically, the range of Pica nuttalli covers the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, which form the agricultural heart of California. The magpies inhabit a narrow strip of land that runs approximately 500 miles north to south. The species also extends into the adjacent chaparral foothills of the Sierra Nevada and the coastal mountain ranges. Their limited distribution has made them vulnerable to environmental changes and diseases, such as the West Nile virus, which caused significant population declines in the early 2000s.
Preferred Environments and Specific Habitats
Magpies generally require a habitat that balances open foraging areas with scattered, mature trees suitable for nesting and cover. Both US species tend to avoid areas of dense, unbroken forest or high alpine tundra. They thrive in semi-open country, such as rangelands, pastures, and agricultural fields.
A key habitat feature for both magpie species is the presence of riparian areas, which are the wooded corridors along rivers and streams. These zones provide the taller, denser trees necessary to construct their large, dome-shaped nests, which can measure up to three feet in diameter. The Yellow-billed Magpie shows a particular affinity for oak woodlands and savanna, especially where valley oaks and cottonwoods border open grasslands.
The Black-billed Magpie is less specialized, utilizing forest edges, shrubby thickets, and groves of trees across its broader range. Their adaptability allows them to flourish on the fringes of human development, often establishing territories near farms, ranches, and suburban parks. They are frequently seen foraging on the ground in these open areas for insects, seeds, and carrion. This preference for open country with nesting trees explains why magpies are common in the valleys and foothills of the West but are absent from the vast, treeless plains of the Midwest or the heavily forested areas of the Eastern United States.