If magpies are your favorite birds, you will surely enjoy reading about this one-of-a-kind Taiwan blue magpie. Also as famous as the Formosan blue magpie, this bird is a native to the island nation after which it is named, which is the only place on earth where you will find this beauty. Named by the Ching dynasty as long-tailed mountain lass, this species was found by English naturalist Robert Swinhoe.
Famed for its nest-helper system, this pretty bird also displays the unique food hoarding technique that matches with its American relative, the raven. To avoid hunger, the Taiwan blue magpie often hides food in crevices, tree hollows, and in shallow holes dug in the ground and then covers it ingeniously with leaves and forest litter for future use. Brought into prominence through the efforts of the Taiwan International Birding Association, these feathered animals are known to fly in long-tailed formations (flying in a line) and are fiercely protective of each other. The flight formation of these beauties is definitely a feast for the eyes!
What Do Taiwan Blue Magpies Look Like?
The adult Formosan blue magpie, Urocissa caerulea, has a rich, smooth, and glossy sapphire blue plumage with white-tipped wings and tail. The underwing coverts are a dark gray complete with a black head and neck. They have bright yellow eyes and a rather long coral bill and red legs. The tail consists of 12 feathers with two exceptionally long middle feathers. The flight feathers are a light gray. The young ones, however, have a gray tint with a short tail, gray beak, and bluish-gray eyes.
How Cute Are They?
A Taiwan blue magpie, Urocissa caerulea, looks more regal than cute with its azure plumage.
How Do They Communicate?
These birds are very suspicious and ward off strangers with a loud, raucous call kyak-kyak-kyak-kyak. They are fiercely territorial and collectively beat back invaders using defensive body language. The other communicating calls include ge-kang, kwee-eep and gar-suee. They are particularly vocal in the breeding season giving out high-pitched cackling.
How Big Is A Taiwan Blue Magpie?
Almost equal in size to the European magpie, the Formosan blue magpie has a body length of 25-27 in (63-68 cm) but differs in its tail length. The tail measures around 15 in (40 cm). It has a wingspan of 7-8 in (18-21 cm).
How Fast Can A Taiwan Blue Magpie Fly?
A Formosan blue magpie has a moderate flight speed.
How Much Does A Taiwan Blue Magpie Weigh?
The average weight of a Taiwan blue magpie, Urocissa caerulea, is 9-9.2 oz (around 260 g).
What Are The Male And Female Names Of The Species?
No separate names have been assigned to the male and the female of the species.
What Would You Call A Baby Taiwan Blue Magpie?
The young of these birds are called chicks or fledglings.
What Do They Eat?
A Formosan blue magpie, Urocissa caerulea, being an omnivore and scavenger has an eclectic menu that includes fruits, berries, caterpillars, small birds, eggs, insects, snakes, carrions, animal carcasses, and human waste.
Are They Dangerous?
This member of the crow family can prove to be quite dangerous especially if humans invade their nesting area they will attack ruthlessly pecking them again and again until they retreat.
Would They Make A Good Pet?
The mountain lady is not a good choice for a pet because of their defensive behavior.
Did You Know…
Papaya is the fruit of choice for a Formosan magpie.
They are not migratory but in winters, may change their location if living in high altitudes.
They have a variety of local names like Chángwěi shānniáng in Pinyin and Tn̂g-boé soaⁿ-niû in Taiwanese Hokkien.
It is a close relative of red-billed blue magpie and yellow-billed blue magpie, both residents of mainland China.
Although they are not vulnerable however the introduction of red-billed blue magpies in Taichung led to hybridization. The Endemic Species Research Institute took steps to prevent the native’s fate from going the same way as Taiwan hwamei. They relocated the nests of the red-billed away from the Taiwan species.
Where Do You Find Magpies?
This member of the magpie family is commonly found in the lush green mountainous forests of Taiwan. They are not found anywhere else in the world.
What Is The National Bird Of Taiwan?
The Taiwan International Birding Association conducted the National Bird Voting Campaign in 2007 which led to the Formosan blue magpie being awarded the status of the national bird of Taiwan but it was never formally accepted although over a million votes were cast from around 53 countries.
