In the late 1960s, while the world preoccupied itself with rock-'n'-roll and flower power and moon landings, a small bird far out in the Indian Ocean came within a hair's breadth of vanishing forever.

The species can only be found in parts of Northern and Central California. It was hit hard by the West Nile Virus in the ...

With their large size, bold pied plumage, and fondness for open areas, black-billed magpies are easily seen. They hop and walk on the ground with a swaggering and confident gait. Monotypic.