With their large size, bold pied plumage, and fondness for open areas, black-billed magpies are easily seen ... nests along watercourses and other areas with trees and shrubs, but foraging ...

When the lights change, the birds hop in front of the cars and place walnuts, which they picked from the adjoining trees ... rooks, magpies and jackdaws–to be among the smartest of all birds.

Yellow-billed magpies are only found in parts of Northern and Central California. That’s why birders from all over the country, and even beyond, come to the Sacramento region to spot the magpie ...