The Taiwan blue magpie, also referred to as the Taiwan magpie or Formosan blue magpie (Urocissa caerulea), is an exquisite bird known for its stunning blue and black plumage. This magnificent creature boasts a long, flowing tail adorned with feathery fans. Although its size is comparable to the European Magpie, the Taiwan blue magpie surpasses its counterpart with a tail length of about 40 centimeters. The bird itself measures between 64 and 65 centimeters, with its wings spanning 18 to 21 centimeters. Not only does this avian beauty possess a vibrant appearance, but it also features a striking combination of a red beak and legs, captivating yellow eyes, and a black head, neck, and breast.
The mesmerizing Taiwan Blue Magpie boasts striking dark blue to purple plumage, adorned with elegant white patterns on its wings and tail. Both male and female birds flaunt a similar appearance. These vibrant creatures of nature are commonly found dwelling in the serene broadleaf woods, specifically in altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,200 meters (980 to 3,940 feet) above sea level in Taiwan.
The Taiwan Blue Magpies are renowned for their scavenging abilities and diverse diet, which includes a variety of plants, fruits, seeds, rodents, snakes, and small insects. However, among their preferences, fruits hold a special place, particularly papayas and wild figs. Interestingly, these clever birds have been observed exhibiting a unique behavior of concealing their leftovers by placing them on the ground and carefully covering them with leaves, ensuring they can retrieve them at a later time. Additionally, they may also store their food in the branches or leaves of trees.
Formosan Birds, known as blue magpies, are known for their monogamous nature. They prefer to build their nests in weed and woodland areas. During the months of March and April, you can find their nesting spots on higher branches. The nests themselves are made from a combination of weeds and twigs, forming a unique bowl-like shape. Interestingly, both males and females contribute to the nest-building process, with the females taking on the responsibility of incubating the eggs. In each nest, you can typically find around 3 to 8 eggs. These eggs have a distinct olive green color with dark brown markings. The hatching process has a success rate of 78.3% and takes approximately 17 to 19 days. As a result, each nest will generally have anywhere from 3 to 7 chicks.
Blue magpies are known for their strong defense behavior when it comes to protecting their nests. They will aggressively attack any intruders, showing no mercy until the intruders flee.
The Formosan Blue Magpie is currently classified as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, as it is found throughout its habitat. Nevertheless, this bird holds a special status due to its rarity and significance as an endemic species.