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I think this species is native to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, as I see it regularly, especially around the urban locality (Downtown Edmonton).

Season: Early Spring

Date: May 18, 2017

Basic Description: Medium sized bird, and I was not able to observe a characteristic chirp from the bird while I was taking a photograph. Most distinctive feature is the bright royal bluish gradient on the tail and tips of the wings.

Bird Picture ONE

Bird Picture TWO

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    $\begingroup$ If you were in the UK, you'd now have to say "Good morning Mr Magpie. How is your lady wife today?". It's practically a law. $\endgroup$
    – Strawberry
    Commented May 20, 2017 at 13:16
  • $\begingroup$ I once took some pictures of this bird while in Africa (in Zaire, as it was called then.) The onlookers laughed at me (quietly and affebly). It was so common in Zaire it would be like someone marveling at a pigeon in NYC. Good memory, thanks. $\endgroup$
    – anongoodnurse
    Commented May 6, 2021 at 22:31

2 Answers 2

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That bird is commonly called a magpie. The only species found in Alberta is Pica hudsonia. You can see a reference image on the left and their distribution throughout Canada on the right:

enter image description here enter image description here

[source]

Interestingly, it is one of the only non-mammals studied that is able to recognize itself in a mirror. In fact, these and other corvids are thought to be some of the most intelligent species on Earth.

You mentioned that you didn't hear them chirp. These birds are actually quite loud and about fifty of them used to wake me up every morning. Have a listen (not my video).

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    $\begingroup$ Your attached video makes me realize how lucky I am to not have heard the bird chirp. $\endgroup$
    – Imtiaz Raqib
    Commented May 20, 2017 at 5:18
  • $\begingroup$ @ImtiazRaqib Ha! Just imagine 50 of them on your roof at 6 am ;) $\endgroup$
    – canadianer
    Commented May 20, 2017 at 5:20
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    $\begingroup$ A species-id question with no research effort again. :) $\endgroup$
    – Tyto alba
    Commented May 20, 2017 at 19:03
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It's clearly a magpie, a member of the crow family (Corvidae). There are many magpie species throughout the world, but since you say it's native to Canada, it must be the black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia). There are only two magpie species native to Northern America, the other being the yellow-billed magpie (Pica nuttalli), occuring in California.

enter image description here

Image source:

http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-billed-magpie

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    $\begingroup$ Finally one of these silly questions I could answer and you beat me to it! $\endgroup$
    – canadianer
    Commented May 20, 2017 at 1:08

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