Yellow-billed Magpie (Pica nuttalli) is in the Crows, Jays, and Magpies family (Corvidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,341 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): G3.
When to photograph Yellow-billed Magpie: observations by month (U.S.)
About Yellow-billed Magpie
The yellow-billed magpie (Pica nutalli) is a large bird in the crow family that is restricted to the U.S. state of California. It inhabits the Central Valley and the adjacent chaparral foothills and mountains. Apart from its having a yellow bill and a yellow streak around the eye, it is virtually identical to the black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia) found in much of the rest of North America. The scientific name commemorates the English naturalist Thomas Nuttall.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Yellow-billed Magpie by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5,341 | April | Mar–Feb |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
California Scrub-Jay
Steller's Jay
Black-billed Magpie
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Canada Jay
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Yellow-billed Magpie?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to February.
Where is Yellow-billed Magpie most often seen?
The most observations come from California.