Midwest · Central Flyway

Are There Black-billed Magpies in South Dakota?

Yes, but uncommon — Black-billed Magpies occur in South Dakota year-round in small numbers. Pica hudsonia · Corvidae

UncommonAbundance
Year-round residentSeasonal status
10Active months
4,296Observations

Is the Black-billed Magpie Found in South Dakota?

Black-billed Magpies do occur in South Dakota, but they are considered uncommon. Encountering one requires patience and the right habitat.

Where to see them instead: the nearest states where Black-billed Magpies occur regularly are Nebraska (about 200 miles away), North Dakota (about 220 miles away) and Minnesota (about 300 miles away).

Often mistaken for Black-billed Magpies in South Dakota: Blue Jay, Common Grackle, American Crow and Canada Jay — these occur regularly in South Dakota, so compare them carefully before concluding you saw a Black-billed Magpie.

Black-billed Magpie is a North American backyard bird.

In South Dakota, this species is classified as uncommon. It is a year-round resident, present in all 12 months.

Monthly Activity — Black-billed Magpie in South Dakota

Relative frequency of observations by month. Higher bars indicate peak periods for this species.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
RegularSeasonalRare

Identification

FamilyCorvidae
View full Black-billed Magpie profile →

Best Time to See Black-billed Magpie in South Dakota

January
Peak
February
Peak
March
Active
April
Active
May
Peak
June
Peak
July
Active
August
Peak
September
Peak
October
Peak
November
Peak
December
Peak

Other birds in South Dakota

Birds you might also encounter in South Dakota.

Black-billed Magpie in other states

Black-billed Magpie in South Dakota: Quick Facts

The Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) is an uncommon bird in South Dakota. It is classified as a year-round resident in the state, falling within the Midwest region and the Central Flyway migration corridor.

For birders in Sioux Falls and throughout South Dakota, 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 South Dakota using the related birds section.