Decidedly NOT a mocking bird, the black billed magpie! A beautiful and misunderstood North American bird. Often known for its mischief (see what I did there) and iridescence. Join us as we explore the true nature of the black billed magpie.
Timestamps: 4:10 -
10:20 Birds 101 Audubon Class Recap
25:45 Magpie Discussion Begins
Sources: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds: Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia).
Audubon Society. Black-billed Magpie Field Guide.
eBird. Species Profile: Black-billed Magpie.
White House Historical Association. Painting of President Thomas Jefferson and His Magpie.
Observational and peer-reviewed research on corvid mobbing behavior and social intelligence
Documented accounts of corvid mourning and death-response behavior
Cultural references to magpies in folklore ("One for Sorrow")
Pop culture commentary on Ben Affleck and the "Sadfleck" phenomenon (The New Yorker and related media)