Groups of magpies can be called a “tittering”, “gulp”, “charm”, “mischief” or a “tribe” and yesterday I saw a large flock of Black-billed Magpies numbering more than 100 birds in a canyon in the Wasatch Mountains. At first I thought there might be road kill ahead and that the magpies were scavenging it but as I drove slowly forward I realized that there wasn’t any road kill and that the magpies were foraging in the grass and sagebrush.
Immature Black-billed Magpie with an eye on the sky – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I stopped to take photos I noticed that every Black-billed Magpie I scoped with my lens was an immature, hatch year bird. Young Black-billed Magpies gather in large flocks after they fledge and learn how to survive on their own and I was excited to come across one of those large flocks.
Immature Black-billed Magpie portrait – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
How did I know that they were immature Black-billed Magpies? The easiest way I know how to determine that is their eye color, young Black-billed Magpies have violet-blue to blue-gray irises whereas the adults have dark brown to almost black irises. The young magpies also have bare areas on their faces that the adults don’t normally have.
Immature Black-billed Magpie and green grasses – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I wish that there was an official collective noun for these large flocks of immature Black-billed Magpies instead of just the “tittering”, “gulp”, “charm”, “mischief” or a “tribe” because these freakishly smart, beautiful youngsters gathering in such large flocks seem to almost beg for a special name of their own. A “rave” of young Black-billed Magpies? A “party”, “attitude” or a “rabble” would work for me.
Immature Black-billed Magpie perched on sagebrush – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was delighted to photograph the few immature Black-billed Magpies that were close to me and to observe those who were further away foraging and chasing each other around in a field dotted with wildflowers, grasses, and sage. I love these corvids!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Black-billed Magpie photos plus facts and information about this species.
Love how the feathers were matching the eye color on that one. Did not know why they gathered in groups like that which I call conventions! 🙂 My friend had it happen in her back yard one time and now I can tell her why.
While your magpies are very different to ours, I do love them.
I have never seen a Black-billed Magpie. I hope to someday. Beautiful bird and beautiful photos.