Magpies are often maligned as pests, but they’re actually quite interesting birds that are
usually overlooked for both their beauty and their intelligence.
In fact, the black and white Eurasian magpie is widely considered one of the most intelligent
animals in the world, and one of only a few non-mammal species able
to recognize itself in a mirror test.
With different magpie species rocking different plumage, stay with us as we are counting down
5 of the most beautiful magpies in the world.
Number 5.
The Iberian magpie occurs in southwestern and central parts of the Iberian Peninsula,
in Spain and Portugal.
However, it can sometimes be spotted also in south-western France, and recently its
presence has been reported even in northern Italy,
where it inhabits various types of coniferous and broadleaf forests.
With similar overall shape to the common magpie, it is truly one of the most beautiful magpies
with glossy black top to the head and a white throat,
while the underparts and the back are a light grey-fawn in colour with the wings and the
feathers of the long tail are an azure blue.
Often, Iberian magpies find food as a family group or several groups making flocks of up
to 70 birds, where the largest groups congregate after
the breeding season and throughout the winter months.
Number 4.
Also known as yellow-breasted magpie, the Indochinese green magpie is native to mainland
southeast Asia and adjacent China.
It is a loud, fluorescent green bird of tropical evergreen forests, usually found in small
and medium-sized flocks.
Adult is vivid green with a black mask, bright cinnamon flight feathers, and a cherry-red
bill.
Despite their bright colors, the Indochinese green magpies can be difficult to see in the
canopy, as they are most easily seen when they sail
through gaps in the foliage.
Number 3.
Found exclusively in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka blue magpie is adapted to hunting in the dense
canopy, where it is highly active and nimble.
However, its flight is rather weak and rarely used to cover great distances.
Slightly larger than a mynah but smaller than a crow, this beautiful bird is bright blue
with a reddish-brown or chestnut head, neck, and wing.
They are monogamous, and use co-operative breeding to raise their young and can be seen
in small flocks of up to 7 birds, while each bird maintains a territory.
In spite of the Sri Lanka blue magpie's ability to adapt to the presence of humans,
it is classified as being vulnerable to extinction due to the fragmentation and destruction of
its habitat of dense primary forest in the wet zone of Southern Sri Lanka.
Number 2.
Found from the lower Himalayas in north eastern India in a broad south easterly band down
into central Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and northwestern Borneo,
the common green magpie is vivid green in colour, often fades to turquoise in captivity,
slightly lighter on the underside and has a thick black stripe from the bill to the
nape.
Compared to the other magpies, the white-tipped tail is quite long.
This all contrasts vividly with the red fleshy eye rims, bill and legs.
When dead however, the colour of the bird changes into blue.
Inhabiting evergreen forest, clearings and scrub, this beautiful bird seeks food both
on the ground and in trees, and takes a very high percentage of animal
prey from countless invertebrates, small reptiles, mammals and young birds and eggs.
Number 1.
Endemic to Taiwan, the Taiwan blue magpie is also known as Formosan blue magpie lives
in broadleaf forests at elevations of 300–1,200m.
It is a very beautiful bird with black neck, head and breast, while rest of the plumage
is mostly blue.
Taiwan blue magpies are not very afraid of people, where they can be found near human
residences in the mountains or newly cultivated lands.
They are gregarious and are usually found in groups of three to twelve.
During breeding season, these birds can be very aggressive, as they will attack intruders
until they leave.
The population trend is suspected to be stable.
Due to its endemism however,
the Taiwan blue magpie is protected by Taiwan's Wildlife Conservation Act.