Iberian Magpie

Alternative Name: Iberian Azure-winged Magpie, Azure-winged magpie, Cook’s Azure-winged Magpie, Spanish Azure-winged Magpie

Photography by john-henry
Southern Spain

Cyanopica cooki

Identification

Length 34-36 cm, 13.4-14.2 inches, of which the tail 16-20 cm; weight 65-76 g, 2.3-2.7 oz

• Glossy black cap
• White throat
• Brownish-grey back and rump
• Light buffish underparts
• Azure blue wings and tail

Sexes similar. Juveniles have a brownish-black hood.

Distribution

Endemic to the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain).

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
It was formerly considered conspecific with Azure-winged Magpie from Asia, differing from it in having an all-blue tail (no white tip) and slightly darker body plumage.

Habitat

Coniferous, mainly Stone Pine Pinus pinea, and oak Quercus forest.

Behaviour

Gregarious, forming noisy groups out of the breeding season.

Diet

The diet includes acorns and pine nuts, invertebrates and larvae, soft fruits and berries. When seeking invertebrates on the ground, they like to jump forward both feet together.

Breeding

They nest in loose, open colonies with a single nest in each tree, usually a Holm Oak Quercus ilex. Incubation takes around 15 days for the 6–8 eggs.
They can be used as host species by Great Spotted Cuckoo.

References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
2. Avibase
3. Wikipedia
4. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
5. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6

External Links

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