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)