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Yellow-billed Magpie

Yellow-billed MagpieThe Yellow-billed Magpie’s range is limited to the Central Valley and Central Coast Ranges of California.  This California endemic has suffered dramatic mortality from West Nile virus (WNV); in the past two years thousands of dead magpies have been reported to California Department of Health Services WNV Dead Bird Surveillance Program.  Of the >400 tested, 82% tested positive for WNV, the highest WNV-positive percentage of all birds tested in California.  There are very little data on the abundance, distribution and demography of Yellow-billed Magpies. 

Through collaborations with members of the Yellow-billed Magpie Working Group, the public through Magpie Monitors (www.magpiemonitor.org), CDFG, PRBO Conservation Science, The Audubon Society, and other agencies, organizations and ornithologists, we are implementing studies to estimate their population size, loss of genetic diversity due to WNV, and viability over time. 

Researchers: Scott Crosbie, Holly Ernest, Levi Souza (Calif. Dept Fish and Game), Jay Well

Did you know that magpies have funerals?
Find out how and why

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magpiemonitor.org