West · Pacific Flyway
Are There Black-billed Magpies in Arizona?
No — Black-billed Magpies are not regularly found in Arizona; any sighting there is a rare stray. Pica hudsonia · Corvidae
Is the Black-billed Magpie Found in Arizona?
Black-billed Magpies are not regularly found in Arizona. eBird holds only 38 Arizona records of this species for 2020–2024, a tiny fraction of the state's checklists — the pattern of occasional strays, not a local population. If you think you saw one, check the look-alikes below first, then report it to eBird with a photo.
Where to see them instead: the nearest states where Black-billed Magpies occur regularly are New Mexico (about 290 miles away), Utah (about 370 miles away) and Colorado (about 460 miles away).
Often mistaken for Black-billed Magpies in Arizona: Northern Mockingbird, American Crow, Steller's Jay and Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — these occur regularly in Arizona, so compare them carefully before concluding you saw a Black-billed Magpie.
Black-billed Magpie is a North American backyard bird.
In Arizona, this species is classified as rare. There is no regular population in Arizona; check neighboring states listed below.
Monthly Activity — Black-billed Magpie in Arizona
Relative frequency of observations by month. Higher bars indicate peak periods for this species.
Identification
Best Time to See Black-billed Magpie in Arizona
Other birds in Arizona
Birds you might also encounter in Arizona.
Black-billed Magpie in other states
Black-billed Magpie in Arizona: Quick Facts
The Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) is a rarely seen bird in Arizona. It is classified as a not regularly recorded in the state, falling within the West region and the Pacific Flyway migration corridor.
For birders in Phoenix and throughout Arizona, knowing the seasonal patterns of Black-billed Magpie can help plan birding trips and backyard feeding strategies.
Use the monthly activity chart above to plan your birding outings, and explore other bird species found in Arizona using the related birds section.