black-billed magpie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Ornithological, Regional
Quick answer
What does “black-billed magpie” mean?
A large, noisy, black-and-white bird of the crow family, native to western North America, with a long tail and a black bill.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, noisy, black-and-white bird of the crow family, native to western North America, with a long tail and a black bill.
The term can be used metaphorically to describe a person who collects miscellaneous objects or a chatterer, though this is less common than with the general term 'magpie'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'magpie' typically refers to the Eurasian magpie. The 'black-billed magpie' is a North American species. Therefore, the full compound term is almost exclusively used in American English contexts.
Connotations
In the UK, 'magpie' has strong folkloric and superstitious connotations (e.g., 'One for sorrow...'). In the US, the black-billed magpie may be seen as a striking but sometimes problematic bird, known for its intelligence and noise.
Frequency
The term has very low frequency in British English. In American English, it is moderately common in regions where the bird is native (the western half of North America) but rare elsewhere.
Grammar
How to Use “black-billed magpie” in a Sentence
The [black-billed magpie] [verb: scavenged, called, nested].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black-billed magpie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not commonly used adjectivally]
American English
- We studied the black-billed magpie population in Colorado.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, and ecology papers.
Everyday
Used by birdwatchers and residents in western North America.
Technical
Standard term for the species in field guides and scientific literature.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black-billed magpie”
- Writing it as 'black billed magpie' without the hyphen.
- Using it to refer to the common Eurasian magpie.
- Capitalising it as a proper name (it is not, unless starting a sentence).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Magpie' often refers to the Eurasian magpie. The black-billed magpie is a separate species native to North America.
To distinguish it from the very similar yellow-billed magpie (*Pica nuttalli*), which is found only in California.
In the western US where it lives, yes, people often do. However, for precise identification, especially where the yellow-billed magpie also lives, the full name is used.
Yes. Magpies, including the black-billed magpie, are members of the corvid family (Corvidae), which includes crows, ravens, and jays.
A large, noisy, black-and-white bird of the crow family, native to western North America, with a long tail and a black bill.
Black-billed magpie is usually technical/ornithological, regional in register.
Black-billed magpie: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblak bɪld ˈmaɡpʌɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblæk bɪld ˈmæɡˌpaɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms for this compound term. The general 'magpie' idiom 'to have a magpie eye' for collecting things could apply.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The magpie with the BLACK BILL lives near the BLACK HILLS (of Dakota, in the American West).'
Conceptual Metaphor
COLLECTOR IS A MAGPIE (though this metaphor uses the general term, not the compound).
Practice
Quiz
Where is the black-billed magpie naturally found?