Alternative names: Taiwan Magpie; Formosan Magpie; Formosan Blue Magpie
- Urocissa caerulea
Identification
63 - 68cm. A distinctive blue magpie.
- Black head, nape and upper breast
- Rest of body plumage azure-blue
- Long blue tail with broad white tips and black subterminal bands
- Stout red bill
- Yellow eye with scarlet to blackish orbital ring
- Scarlet legs
Sexes similar. Juveniles are duller than adults with a more greyish-blue plumage and a greyish-black hood.
Distribution
Endemic to the hills of Taiwan. More common in the north, east and south.
Uncommon and elusive.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
Forms a superspecies with Gold-billed Magpie and Blue Magpie.
Habitat
Broadleaf forest in hills at 400 - 1000m. Recorded up to 1200m.
Behaviour
Rather shy and elusive. Prefers to keep in dense forest.
Feeds omnivorous. Takes invertebrates, berries and figs.
Usually seen in small groups of up to six or seven birds.
Breeding season from May to June. A social and co-operative breeder. The nest is a large platform made of sticks and twigs. Lays 5 - 6 eggs.
A resident species with some altitudinal movements in winter.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Taiwan Blue Magpie. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Taiwan_Blue_Magpie
