Azure-winged Magpie

Scientific Name: Cyanopica cyanus

Classification: Order: Passeriformes; Family: Corvidae

Azure-winged Magpie

Brief Description

A slender and graceful corvid known for its striking blue wings and very long tail. They are highly social and often seen in noisy flocks, gliding between trees with a distinctive undulating flight.

Additional Information

  • Region of Origin: East Asia (China, Korea, Japan, and southeastern Russia)
  • Typical Sighting Period: Year-round; most visible during the breeding season in spring and summer
  • Plumage Details: Adults have a glossy black cap, a light greyish-fawn or light brown back, and azure-blue wings and tail. The throat and underparts are primarily white or pale grey. Sexes are similar in appearance.
  • Ecological Significance: As omnivores, they play a role in seed dispersal and control insect populations. They are also known for cooperative breeding, where non-breeding individuals help raise the young of others.
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN); Population is stable
  • Observation Tips: Look for them in parks, gardens, and light woodlands. They are social birds that travel in groups of 15 to 30, so if you see one, look for others nearby. Listen for their distinctive nasal calls.

Size & Weight

Length: 31-35 cm (including tail); Wingspan: 38-44 cm; Weight: 65-118 g

Diet

Omnivorous; feeds on acorns, pine seeds, fruits, berries, insects (and their larvae), and occasionally small mammals or young birds.

Habitat

Coniferous and broadleaf forests, parks, orchards, and urban gardens with ample tree cover.

Migration

Non-migratory resident; they remain in their range throughout the year.

Voice (Call & Song)

A loud, raucous, and nasal 'zhee-zhee' or 'kree-kree' call, typical of many corvids.

Nesting & Breeding

They build open cup nests made of twigs and lined with moss or wool. Typically found in colonies, with a clutch size of 6-8 eggs; communal breeding is common.

Key Field Marks

Long azure-blue tail, black cap reaching below the eyes, and soft grey-brown body plumage.

Similar Species

Iberian Magpie (Cyanopica cooki) is very similar but found only on the Iberian Peninsula; it lacks the white tip on the tail found in some Asian populations.

Interesting Facts

The Azure-winged Magpie has a remarkably disjunct distribution, with one population in East Asia and a closely related species in Spain and Portugal, with a gap of 9,000 km between them.