The red-billed blue magpie (Urocissa erythroryncha) is a species of bird in the crow family, Corvidae. It is about the same size as the Eurasian magpie but has a much longer tail, one of the longest tails of any corvid. The red-billed blue magpie occurs in a broad swathe from the northern parts of the Indian Subcontinent, and further eastwards. It ranges from the Western Himalayas eastwards into Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. They prefer evergreen forest and scrub in predominantly hilly or mountainous country.
Description:
Red-billed Blue Magpie is about the same size as the Eurasian magpie but has a much longer tail, one of the longest tails of any corvid. The bill is a bright orange-red as are the legs and feet and a ring around the eye. The head, neck and breast are black with a bluish spotting on the crown. The long tail is a brighter blue with a broad white tip. The shoulders and rump are a duller blue and the underparts are a grayish cream.
Interesting fact:
Members of the jay and crow family are considered to be among the most intelligent of all birds.
Breeding:
They nest in trees and large shrubs in a shallow nest. They usually lay 3-5 eggs.
Song:
Vocal mimicry is very apparent in this species and its calls are very varied, but the most usual are a grating rattle and a high pitched whistle a little like a flute
Diet:
These jays are omnivorous. In captivity: Paradise Earth Premium Softball Blend, mixed dried insects and fruit.