Habitat
During breeding season, inhabits thickets in riparian areas associated with open meadows and grasslands for foraging (Bock and Lepthien 1975). During nonbreeding, less specific in habitat requirements frequenting developed areas. Habitats include, open country (including grasslands), open situations with scattered trees, shrubby areas, riparian and open woodland, forest edge and farmlands, in either arid or humid habitats (AOU 1983). Roosts in dense riparian thickets of deciduous trees or scrub, or, especially in north in winter, in dense conifers (Reebs 1987).
References
AOU. 1983. Check-list of North American birds. 6th ed.American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington D. C.
Bock, C. E. and L. W. Lepthien. 1975. Distribution and abundance of Black-billed Magpie (Pica pica) in North America. Great Basin Naturalist 35: 269-272.
Reebs, S. G. 1987. Roost characteristics and roosting behavior of black-billed magpies, PICA PICA, in Edmonton, Alberta. Canadian Field-Nat. 101:519-525.
