Do Colorado magpies “mob” larger birds of prey?

Black-billed magpies are known to work together to “mob” raptors and other predators to defend themselves, their nests and their young.

“Mobbing” involves multiple birds loudly crowding and attacking a perceived threat at the same time. Usually, magpies use this strategy to deter hunters like foxes, coyotes and raptors, though they’ve also been reported to mob humans, pets and snakes.

Black-billed magpies live in the Western U.S. and Canada. They are related to jays, crows and ravens, and are known for their intelligence and curiosity. Magpies have also been observed holding “funerals” for fellow magpies, gathering and loudly cawing when they discover a dead counterpart.

Conservation authorities estimate that there are around 6 million black-billed magpies in the wild and designate magpies as a species of least conservation concern. If climate change continues to raise temperatures, the birds could lose up to 68% of their current range.