Sri Lanka Blue Magpie

The Sri Lanka blue magpie, or Ceylon magpie, is a strikingly vibrant bird, a member of the Corvidae family. It boasts a length of 42–47 cm, positioning it size-wise between a mynah and a crow. The bird's plumage is a resplendent blue, complemented by a reddish-brown or chestnut head, neck, and wing. Its tail is notably long and graduated, culminating in a white tip. The bill, legs, feet, and the bare skin around the eye are a vivid red, adding to its remarkable appearance. Both sexes exhibit similar coloration, while juveniles are somewhat duller with a brown eye ring and a greyish tinge to their blue feathers.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Sri Lanka blue magpie, look for its sturdy bill and the distinctive coloration – bright blue body with a chestnut head and neck. The white-tipped, long blue tail is also a key feature. The red around the bill and eyes is particularly striking and can aid in identification.

Habitat

The Sri Lanka blue magpie is endemic to the island, favouring tall, undisturbed forests in the wet zone's mountains, foothills, and adjacent lowlands. It thrives at elevations ranging from below 150 to 2150 meters.

Distribution

This species is exclusively found in Sri Lanka, within 38 forest patches across six forest complexes in the southern wet zone, as per surveys conducted between 2004 and 2006.

Behaviour

Despite its preference for undisturbed habitats, the Sri Lanka blue magpie shows a remarkable tolerance for human presence, often attracted to areas frequented by people. It has been observed waiting near trails, anticipating food from visitors.

Song & Calls

The Sri Lanka blue magpie is known for its diverse vocal repertoire, including a jingle, crakrakrakrak, and a whee-whee. It is also capable of mimicry, imitating the calls of raptors and other birds, which may serve as alarm signals to other species in the region.

Breeding

These monogamous birds engage in cooperative breeding and are often seen in small flocks. They have a generation length of 6.7 years, with breeding season spanning January to March. They lay clutches of three to five eggs, which are white with brown spots. Both sexes participate in nest building and feeding the young, but only the female incubates the eggs.

Diet and Feeding

The Sri Lanka blue magpie is primarily carnivorous, feeding on insects, frogs, and small lizards, but it also consumes fruit. It has been observed using its strong legs and feet to forage, even hanging upside down and holding down prey with ease.

Conservation status

Classified as vulnerable, the Sri Lanka blue magpie faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation for agriculture, mining, logging, and settlement. Estimates suggest a population of 10,181-19,765 individuals, which is adjusted to 9,500-19,500 to reflect effective population size. Legal protection and a logging moratorium offer some hope, but pollution and biocides remain significant threats.