Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 45 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 129 mm | 192 mm | 86 mm | 64 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 257 mm | 385 mm | 171 mm | 129 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 386 mm | 577 mm | 257 mm | 193 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 514 mm | 769 mm | 343 mm | 257 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 772 mm | 1,154 mm | 514 mm | 386 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 1,286 mm | 1,923 mm | 857 mm | 643 mm |
About the Black-billed Magpie#
The black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia), also known as the American magpie, is a bird in the crow family that inhabits the western half of North America, from Colorado, to southern coastal Alaska to northern California, northern Nevada, northern Arizona, northern New Mexico, central Kansas, and Nebraska. It is black and white, with black areas on the wings and tail showing iridescent hints of blue or blue-green. It is one of only four North American songbirds whose...
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Very intelligent and wary — use a vehicle as a hide.
- Black plumage needs +0.3 to +0.7 EV to show feather detail.
- Bird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
- Sightings peak in April, May, June, July, August and September, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Crows, Jays, and Magpies#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Black-billed Magpie?
At about 45 cm long, a black-billed magpie fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 257 mm, or at 20 m with 514 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Black-billed Magpie?
1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Black-billed Magpie?
Observations in North America peak in April, May, June, July, August and September. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources