The black-billed magpie is an opportunistic omnivore, eating many types of insects, carrion, seeds, rodents, berries, nuts, eggs, and also garbage and food from pets that are fed outside. They sometimes land on large mammals, such as moose or cattle, to pick at the ticks that often plague these animals. Also, they often follow large predators, such as wolves, to scavenge or steal from their kills. Black-billed Magpies are social, inquisitive birds that eat fruits, grains, insects, small animals and  frequently gather in large flocks at carrion. The Magpies move in groups and give a variety of trill, cackle, and whistle calls. They flap steadily in flight, alternating deep and shallow wing beats, and use their very long tails to negotiate abrupt turns.  The Black-billed Magpies also live in the trees as a  lookout to watch a predator that might want them as a snack. That is how a Black-billed magpie adapts to the environment of the Montane Shrublands.