Midwest · Mississippi Flyway
Are There Black-billed Magpies in Iowa?
No — Black-billed Magpies are not regularly found in Iowa; any sighting there is a rare stray. Pica hudsonia · Corvidae
Is the Black-billed Magpie Found in Iowa?
Black-billed Magpies are not regularly found in Iowa. 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 Minnesota (about 300 miles away), Nebraska (about 340 miles away) and South Dakota (about 390 miles away).
Often mistaken for Black-billed Magpies in Iowa: Blue Jay, Common Grackle and American Crow — these occur regularly in Iowa, so compare them carefully before concluding you saw a Black-billed Magpie.
Black-billed Magpie is a North American backyard bird.
In Iowa, this species is classified as rare. There is no regular population in Iowa; check neighboring states listed below.
Monthly Activity — Black-billed Magpie in Iowa
Relative frequency of observations by month. Higher bars indicate peak periods for this species.
Identification
Best Time to See Black-billed Magpie in Iowa
Other birds in Iowa
Birds you might also encounter in Iowa.
Black-billed Magpie in other states
Black-billed Magpie in Iowa: Quick Facts
The Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) is a rarely seen bird in Iowa. It is classified as a not regularly recorded in the state, falling within the Midwest region and the Mississippi Flyway migration corridor.
For birders in Des Moines and throughout Iowa, 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 Iowa using the related birds section.