This black and white bird is nearly crow-sized and has an extremely long tail that is about double the body length. Bill black, culmen curved. Eye brownish. Head, breast and back black. Belly and shoulder-patch white. Wings greenish-blue. Legs, vent and under tail coverts black. At close range the tail is iridescent greenish-blue. In flight, wingtips are white with black edges, shoulder patches white, and the back is iridescent greenish-blue. Only similar species is Yellow-billed Magpie, which is smaller with yellow skin around eye and an all yellow bill. The ranges of these two species do not overlap.

Length: 48 (cm) Wingspan: 63 (cm)

Voice:

Chattering wock wock and various squawks.

Habitat:

Riparian, shrubby areas and open country including sagebrush, grasslands and meadows.

Behavior:

Forms large flocks in winter. Uses scent to locate food. Fairly vocal.

Feeding:

Diet consists of small mammals, insects, carrion, grains, nuts and acorns, and berries.