Sorta off-topic...

[Ol Gabe]

This question is posed for those CAS/WAS Pards & Pardettes who live in the NW states where Buff & Elk run the valleys,
Awhile back wifey & I were watching a show about Buff, Elk & Wolves in a NW state during the Winter months, it was on our PBS affiliate here in Corn Country. One part of the program dealt with a carcass being devourved by wolves with vultures crows/ravens and an unknown bird to us waiting a turn.
The bird in question was the size of a crow, black and white in color with each in large blocks of about equal size and shape. The crows didn't want anything to do with them and they seemed to bounce around the snow on the edges.
We looked at all our various bird books and found nothing even close so thought I'd defer to the local range-owners up there/here on the line and see what they might have to offer as far as advise as to which species, name, area of habitat, etc., it might be.
No need to glob the bandwidth here with details, if you know what it might be please let me know off-line in a PM.
Thanks in advance and please drive careful this weekend, snow is more than likely on the ground up your way and headed our way in about a fortnight or so!
'Ol Gabe
NCOWS #925

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings Old Gabe -

are you perchance referring to the Black Billed Magpie aka American Magpie, aka

they hang out on top of buffalo and other such large herbivores, as well as hanging out by carcasses
squawking " Can I have some? Can I have some?"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-billed_magpie

yhs
prof squawking

[August]

Yup.  Magpie.

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

We have them up in Alberta also.  A very wary bird, they can smell a gun from a mile away.  They are scavengers, same as ravens and crows.  Back in the 50's and early 60's you used to get .02 cents for a pair of Magpie/Raven/Crow's feet or, a gopher tail when turned over to the grain elevator operator.  We sometimes refer to them as pinto crows.

[PJ Hardtack]

Somebody post a link to Ian Tyson's song "Magpie".

"The west ain't never gonna die as long as you fly."

[greyhawk]

Yup.  Magpie.

Thats not a magpie --- this is a magpie!!!

[nagantino]

Eugenejerse speak with heap big forked tongue.

[Dave T]

Who is that guy and what possible kick can he get out of his idiotic postings?

Dave

[Silver Creek Slim]

The posts are gone.

Slim

[Professor Marvel]

Who is that guy and what possible kick can he get out of his idiotic postings?

Dave

Eastern EU Spam/phishing
gone now

[Ol Gabe]

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments, they were very helpful.
Best regards and good shooting!
'Ol Gabe