Gabe’s Eagle project Population check of the Yellow-billed Magpie In the Red Bluff Discovery Center and monitoring of birds of prey

Who is the Yellow-billed Magpie? This bird has its namesake yellow bill and bare yellow area of skin behind eye. Large white wing patches and long, wedge-shaped, iridescent greenish- black tail.

Not your average magpie Yellow-billed is a different species from the more common black billed magpie. Yellow-billed Magpie Black-billed Magpie

Endemic Species The Yellow-billed Magpie is found only in central/northern California. Everywhere else you will find Black-billed Magpies.

Why do we have a problem now? Before 2004 After 2004 The main issue today is that in 2004 a huge West Nile Virus outbreak occurred. Taking out about 50% of the population.

Magpies are very susceptible to West Nile Virus Magpies build nests close to water where there are more mosquitoes 25% of scrub jays can survive West Nile Virus, only 5% of Magpies do

The Big Idea counting the Yellow-billed Magpie nests and the nests of other birds of prey in the 488 acre area of the Red Bluff Discovery Center Monitor those nests for 2-3 consecutive years The larger scope of this project is to get scouts and other members of our community involved in the local wildlife of our area.

Endemic means local This is OUR bird! We need to be proud of it. We need to protect it

A young person that participates in this project will develop a relationship with our area’s wildlife. This relationship causes a long lasting effect for this person will grow to value and protect our land’s environmental resources.

WHY DO WE NEED TO DO THIS?  Unless somebody like you care a whole awful lot, it will not get better, it will not. -Dr. Seuss The Lorax

Summary This project is to monitor the Yellow-billed Magpie population. The Yellow-billed Magpie population has found itself at risk in recent years due to the occurrence in 2004 of West Nile Virus I am monitoring the active nests and counting the occupants for two [2] consecutive years.

And since I’m there anyway…...other birds being monitored Cooper’s Hawk American Kestrel Osprey Red Tailed Hawk and Red Shoulder Hawk Great-Horned Owl

Accipiter Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii). Dark-brown to slate-gray back, with a darker gray to black crown that contrasts with the lighter nape. Finely barred underparts. Undertail coverts pure white. Iris color varies from deep reddish- orange to red. Legs and cere yellow. So far I have seen none.

Falcons American Kestral (Falco sparverius) Smallest falcon in North America, roughly the size and shape of a Mourning Dove, (larger head). In flight, the wings are often bent and the wingtips swept back. pale when seen from below and warm, rusty brown spotted with black above, with a black band near the tip of the tail. May have found 1 nest. Still uncertain.

Pandions Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) The upperparts are a deep, glossy brown, while the breast and underparts are pure white. The head is white with a dark mask across the eyes. The bill is black, with a blue cere, The feet are white with black talons. A short tail and long, narrow wings with four long finger-like feathers give it a very distinctive appearance. So far I have recorded no nests

Buteos Red Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Red-tailed Hawks are large hawks very broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Large females seen from a distance might fool you into thinking you’re seeing an eagle. (Until an actual eagle comes along) Most Red-tailed Hawks are rich brown above and pale below, with a streaked belly and, on the wing underside, a dark bar between shoulder and wrist. The tail is usually pale below and cinnamon-red above

Buteos Red Shoulder Hawk (Buteo lineatus) The Red Shouldered Hawk is Medium-sized to large hawk. Wings and tail striped black and white. Underparts barred reddish. Pale crescent near wingtips in flight

Please check out: Redbluffmagpie.com Gabe Sartori