*Oology is a branch of ornithology studying bird eggs, nests and breeding behaviour. The word is derived from the Greek oion, meaning egg.
25. Yellow-billed Magpie
This part of the Stanislaus Audubon Website is focused on 44 common Central Valley nesting species with background about their nesting habits. Please check the Great Valley Museum Central Valley Egg Collection starting page for links to all the featured species.
YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE NESTING INFORMATION (From birdsoftheworld.org)
Nests - In central coastal California and Central Valley begins as early as late January for some pairs; by mid February, almost all breeding pairs are involved in nest-building. Nests high in large trees and most nests are in oak trees, often in mistletoe clumps. Nest construction begins late December–March. Up to 2 months to construct nest. Nest is extremely large structure with mud (or dung) and stick base, stick canopy (dome), and mud bowl lined with animal hair, grass, shredded bark, or rootlets.
Eggs - Subelliptical, short subelliptical, or oval, pale greenish blue, grayish blue, buff, or olive; heavily spotted and speckled or, more exceptionally, blotched, with olive-brown and gray. Clutch size is 5 to 7 eggs.
Incubation - Eggs hatch 16–18 d after beginning of incubation. female spends most time on nest and is provisioned by male
Fledging - Young are altricial and both parents provision developing nestlings with food and depart from nest about 30 d after hatching.
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