Pica hudsonia is a species of bird in the Corvidae family. It is a medium-sized bird, measuring approximately 28 cm in length and weighing around 70 g. It has a black head, neck, and upperparts, with a white throat and breast. Its wings are black with white patches, and its tail is black with white outer feathers. It is found in open grasslands, shrublands, and agricultural areas in western North America. Its lifespan is typically between 4 and 6 years, and its current population is estimated to be between 1.2 and 2.4 million individuals.
Name Origin: Pica hudsonia, commonly known as the black-billed magpie, was named after the English naturalist and explorer William Hudson. Hudson was the first to describe the species in 1798, and the genus Pica is derived from the Latin word for magpie.
Related Species: Corvus brachyrhynchos, Corvus corax, Corvus ossifragus, Corvus cryptoleucus, Corvus frugilegus