Sri Lanka Blue Magpie

Urocissa ornata

Would you be shocked to hear that today's bird is a relative of the Crows and Ravens? This bright, colorful creature belongs to the very same family as those often-darker birds, an example of how brilliant things can be in other parts of the world!

As you may have guessed from the name, the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is found only on the island of Sri Lanka. They live in the hilly rainforests, grouping up into small flocks of 6-8 birds. These birds are primarily carnivorous, and feed on small reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

Sadly, these gorgeous blue and chestnut birds are considered to be Vulnerable. Habitat loss due to logging and agriculture is the biggest threat. Air pollution has also damaged the rainforests that these birds call home. Luckily, they are protected by the Sri Lankan government, and live in a handful of protected parks.

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IUCN Status : Vulnerable
Location : Sri Lanka
Size : Length up to 18in (45cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Corvidae -- Genus : Urocissa -- Species : U. ornata

Image : John Thompson

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Western Jackdaw

Corvus monedula

Meet the Western Jackdaw. These mostly-black birds are the second smallest members of their genus, and are one of the littlest species in the entire Corvid family. Western Jackdaws can be found across Europe, as well as in North Africa and Central Asia. Most of the populations are residents, though some in the north and east migrate. They are a very adaptable species, and can be found in habitats that range from sea cliffs, to meadows, to urban building ledges!

There are actually four different subspecies of Western Jackdaw. All of them differ by location and by their head and neck coloration. All four have dark grey/black bodies, but the size and lightness of the crown varies.

Western Jackdaws

Western Jackdaws are incredibly social, and can be found in large flocks that number into the hundreds. These flocks function with a strict hierarchy, and birds will fight and create threat displays to assert dominance. The birds are also very social when it comes to feeding. Not only do the flocks forage together, but they also share their food with one another. They are opportunistic with their feeding, taking grains, insects, eggs, and just about anything else they can find.

During the breeding season the birds pair up, and most of these couples will stay together throughout their lifetimes. Pairs will preen and groom each other to strengthen their bond. They build nests in crevasses, dropping sticks in order to make a platform (which can be problematic for chimneys). They lay 4-6 greenish-blue eggs at a time, and both parents incubate, defend, and care for their offspring.

Western Jackdaws are under no real conservation threat whatsoever. In fact, it is estimated that their global population is somewhere around 90,000,000 birds and rising. They are able to be hunted in several different countries throughout their range.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Europe, Asia, North Africa
Size : Length up to 15in (39cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Corvidae -- Genus : Corvus-- Species : C. monedula

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Black-Throated Magpie-Jay

Calocitta colliei

This week, a major plot line of the CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory revolved around a bird. A very pretty bird that was referred to only as a Blue Jay, though it was unlike any Blue Jay I had ever seen. But I think I've found it! (And since writing this it appears that Wikipedia has backed me up)

The Black-Throated Magpie-Jay is a really beautiful Jay that lives in northern Mexico. They are easily identified by their long blue tails, their black crests, and their loud cries. They are omnivores that feed on berries, nuts, insects, and even small mammals and carrion!

Black-Throated Magpie-Jays live in pairs or in small groups. During the breeding season they build messy nests  high up in thorny trees. The female does all the incubating, and will not leave her nest for several weeks while her mate feeds her.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : Mexico
Size : Length up to 30in (76cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Corvidae -- Genus : Calocitta -- Species : C. colliei

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African Pied Crow

Corvus albus

African Pied Crows are medium sized Corvids (Crows and Ravens) that hail from sub-Saharan Africa. They are distinguishable from many other crows by the bright white feathers that cover the neck and chest. They are highly adaptable birds, and can found in a variety of habitats.

Like other Crows and Ravens, African Pied Crows are quite intelligent, and can be taughts to perform all kinds of tricks and tasks in captivity. In the wild they are very social birds, and live in small groups. They will even work together to mob prey from much larger birds of prey!

African pied Crows can be kept as pets, but they take a great deal of care to be properly raised. (Interestingly, native Crows and Ravens cannot be kept in the UNited States, but foreign birds like the Pied Crow can) Their high intelligence and craftiness means they can become destructive if not given proper socialization and enrichment. They are extremely active and require a good deal of space to stay happy. While they can make for exciting and enjoyable pets, they  are definitely not for everyone!

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IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : Africa

Size : Length up to 20in (50cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Corvidae -- Genus : Corvus -- Species : C. albus

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