Black-billed Magpie

Pica pica

(P. p. pica)

Armenian Name:	Սովորական կաչաղակ

See Plate 59 for Black-billed Magpie and other similar species

Resident Status:	Year-round resident
Abundance:	Common
Length:	44-46 cm, Wing Span:52-60 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 339.
Description:	Long tail and short rounded wings. Black head, breast, and back. Blue-glossed wings and green-glossed tail contrast strongly with white scapular patches and white belly. In flight, shows mainly white primaries.
Juvenile:	Has duller black feathers and shorter tail.
Behavior:	Often occurs near settlements. In winter, gathers with ravens and crows at feeding sites.
Habitat:	Widespread but avoids barren mountain tops and dense forest.
Food:	Invertebrates, small vertebrates, fruits.
Nest:	Cup in large ball of twigs, mud, and occasionally wire, in dense shrub, tree, or electrical pylon.
Eggs:	34 mm, 4-8, greenish to bluish, green-brown blotches.