The Red-billed Blue Magpie: A Colorful and Raucous Bird

Have you ever seen a bird with a bright red bill, a long blue tail, and a loud voice? If you have, you might have encountered the red-billed blue magpie, a species of corvid that lives in parts of Asia. This bird is not only striking in appearance, but also in behavior. Let’s learn more about this fascinating creature.

The red-billed blue magpie (Urocissa erythroryncha) is about the same size as the Eurasian magpie, but has a much longer tail, one of the longest of any corvid. It is 65–68 cm (25.5–27 in) long and weighs 196–232 g (6.9–8.2 oz) 1. The head, neck, and breast are black with a bluish spotting on the crown. The shoulders and rump are a duller violet-blue, and the underparts are a greyish cream. The long tail is a brighter violet-blue (as are the wing primaries) with a broad, white tip. The bill is a bright orange-red, as are the legs and feet and a ring around each eye. This red can vary across its range to almost yellow in some birds .

The red-billed blue magpie occurs in a broad swath from the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent, and further eastwards. It ranges from the western Himalayas eastwards into Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, and through central and eastern China to southwest Manchuria, in evergreen forest and scrub in predominantly hilly or mountainous country .

The red-billed blue magpie is a social and vocal bird that travels in groups of up to 12 individuals. It communicates with constant, raucous, hoarse calls that can be heard from far away 2. It is also aggressive, often driving away other birds from its territory or food sources .

Like many corvid species, red-billed blue magpies are opportunistic feeders, taking small prey like beetles, lizards, and caterpillars, as well as fruits, seeds, and eggs of other birds 3. They often forage on the ground or in low vegetation, but can also fly up to catch insects or fruits in the air 1. They are also known to steal food from other animals or humans .

The red-billed blue magpie is considered to be of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as it has a large range and population size 4. However, it may face some threats from habitat loss or degradation due to deforestation or agriculture expansion 1. It may also be hunted for its feathers or meat in some areas .

The red-billed blue magpie is a bird that deserves our attention and admiration for its beauty and intelligence. It is one of the most colorful and charismatic members of the corvid family. If you ever have a chance to see one in the wild, you will surely be impressed by its appearance and voice.