Formosan Blue Magpie

Taxobox
name = Formosan Blue Magpie
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1

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image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Corvidae
genus = "Urocissa"
species = "U. caerulea"
binomial = "Urocissa caerulea"
binomial_authority = Gould, 1863The Formosan Blue Magpie ("Urocissa caerulea"), also called the Taiwan Magpie (zh-tp|t=臺灣藍鵲|p=Táiwān lán què) or the "long-tailed mountain lady" (zh-tp|t=長尾山娘|p=Chángwěi shānniáng; Taiwanese: Tn̂g-boé soaⁿ-niû), is a member of the Crow family. It is an endemic species living in the mountains of Taiwan at elevations of 300 to 1200m. The Formosan Blue Magpie is Taiwan's national bird, having won the National Bird vote, though it has yet to be formally accepted.

Description

It is about the same size as the European Magpie, but with a longer tail. The head, neck and breast are black, the rest of the plumage on the bird is a rich dark blue to purple in color. It has white markings on the wings and the tail. The bill, feet and legs are red, and the iris is yellowish. The voice is described as a high pitched cackling chatter, "kyak-kyak-kyak-kyak."

Behavior

Usually found in groups of six or more, it appears to avoid any human disturbance and quickly moves away from such encounters.

Diet

Its food is similar to that of others in the genus, taking a wide range of fruits and seeds, insects and other invertebrates. Wild figs and papayas appear to be a favorite.

Nesting

The nest is usually in a tree or shrub and there are usually between three to five eggs laid. Both sexes build the nest and feed the young with only the female incubating them.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

* [http://taipei.tzuchi.org.tw/tzquart/2003fa/qf2.htm Ka-shiang, Liu. "The Long-Tailed Fairy of the Forest: In Search of the Formosan Blue Magpie." Rhythms Monthly Magazine.]
* [http://www.gio.gov.tw/info/ecology/English/animals_e/LowAnimals_e/LowAnimals13_e.htm "Formosan Blue Magpie." Tawianese Government Information Office.]