Azure-winged Magpie

Scientific Name: Cyanopica cyanus

Classification: Order: Passeriformes, Family: Corvidae

Azure-winged Magpie

Brief Description

A slim, elegant corvid with a very long tail, distinctive black cap, and vibrant blue wings and tail. It is highly social, usually seen in loud, active groups.

Additional Information

  • Region of Origin: East Asia (China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East)
  • Typical Sighting Period: Year-round (Resident)
  • Plumage Details: Glossy black cap and nape. Pale greyish-fawn or lavender-grey underparts and back. Striking azure-blue wings and a long, graduated azure-blue tail with white tips. Similar sexes.
  • Ecological Significance: Acts as an important seed disperser and helps control insect populations. Also serves as a sentinel for other species due to its loud alarm calls.
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN); population is generally stable.
  • Observation Tips: Look for them in noisy flocks in parks and gardens where they often forage on the ground. They are easily identified by their flight pattern and long blue tails.

Size & Weight

Length: 31-35 cm; Wingspan: 38-44 cm; Weight: 65-115 g

Diet

Omnivorous; feeds on pine nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, small rodents, and occasionally scraps in urban areas.

Habitat

Coniferous and broadleaf forests, orchards, parks, and suburban gardens.

Migration

Resident; they do not migrate but may move locally in response to food availability.

Voice (Call & Song)

A loud, metallic 'kwreee' or 'shreep' often repeated. It also produces softer, more complex chattering in social groups.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeds in loose colonies. Nests are cup-shaped, made of twigs and moss, built in trees. Lays 6-8 eggs; communal breeding behavior is sometimes observed.

Key Field Marks

Glossy black cap, extremely long azure-blue tail, blue wings, and white throat.

Similar Species

Iberian Magpie (Cyanopica cooki) - nearly identical but found only in the Iberian Peninsula; lacked the white tail tip and has slightly different vocalizations.

Interesting Facts

They exhibit high levels of social intelligence and have been observed sharing food with others, demonstrating a form of proactive prosociality.