Red-billed Blue Magpie

Overview

The red-billed blue magpie (Urocissa erythroryncha) is a species of bird in the crow family, Corvidae, notable for having one of the longest tails among corvids. It is roughly the same size as the Eurasian magpie but possesses a much longer tail. The species is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Body length ranges from 65–68 cm with a weight of 196–232 g.
• Head, neck, and breast are black with bluish spotting on the crown; shoulders and rump are duller violet-blue, while the underparts are greyish cream.
• The long tail and wing primaries are a brighter violet-blue with a broad white tip.
• The bill, legs, feet, and eye rings are bright orange-red, though this coloration can vary to almost yellow in some populations.
• Vocalizations include a grating rattle and a high-pitched whistle reminiscent of a flute.

Habitat

Found in evergreen forest and scrub in predominantly hilly or mountainous country, the range extends from the western Himalayas eastwards through Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, as well as central and eastern China to southwest Manchuria. The species has also adapted to urban environments, with sightings in large Chinese cities such as Beijing and Hong Kong. Nesting occurs in trees and large shrubs, typically involving the laying of three to five eggs in a relatively shallow nest.

Diet

This species forages both in trees and on the ground, consuming a wide range of foods including invertebrates, other small animals, fruit, and some seeds. It is known to rob nests for eggs and chicks.

Did you know?

The genus name Urocissa combines the Ancient Greek words oura meaning "tail" and kissa meaning "magpie", highlighting the bird's prominent tail length. The specific epithet erythroryncha similarly derives from Greek roots meaning "red" and "bill".