Black-Billed Magpie Decline in Nebraska

Many birders and bird-watchers in western and central Nebraska have noticed the unfortunate absence in recent years of a distinctive, entertaining and familiar bird species, the black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia). In the late 1990s, black-billed magpies were found over most of the state, except the extreme east and southeast. They occurred as far east as western Lancaster and Saunders counties during that time. In other areas, especially the west, magpies were fairly common and could be reliably seen with little effort. Since about 2000, black-billed magpies have declined sharply. They no longer are found in Lancaster, Saunders and many other counties in eastern and central Nebraska. Even in strongholds in western Nebraska, where the species was formerly common, it can now be difficult to find. Data from both the Breeding Bird Survey and Christmas Bird Counts have shown a general long-term decline across the state during the latter part of the 20th century, but a striking drop-off in numbers since the early 2000s.

Source: Lincoln Journal Star, Feb 19, 2017
http://journalstar.com/sports/local/outdoors/magpie-decline-in-nebraska…