MAGPIE
			Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Aves Passeriformes Corvidae Pica pica (common); Pica nuttalli (yellow-billed)

Magpies are members of the crow family. Like their close relatives, the jays, and unlike other crows, they are brightly colored birds and have long tails which account for over half of their total length. Magpies are found throughout the world. The common magpie is as familiar in Europe as it is in Alaska and Siberia. But it also lives in northern Africa, southern China, and the western United States. In North America it is known as the black-billed magpie, to distinguish it from the similar yellow-billed magpie of California.

Magpies will eat almost anything from insects, slugs, and earthworms to young rabbits, rats, mice, and even plant food. They are also known as notorious egg stealers.

The nest is an elaborate structure made of sticks, cemented with mud, and lined with fine roots, dry grass, or hair. Usually, 5 to 6 eggs are laid.