Red-billed Blue Magpie

Urocissa erythroryncha

With its sweeping tail feathers and striking crimson bill, this intelligent member of the crow family is a true spectacle, as it glides between trees across Asia's mountain forests.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is a striking bird with vibrant blue plumage, a black head speckled with white, and an exceptionally long, graduated tail marked with white spots. Its bright red bill and legs stand out against its predominantly blue body, while the white tips on its wings and tail create a distinctive pattern.

Both sexes share similar colouration, with no significant differences between males and females. Juveniles have duller plumage with a whitish throat and face, and their bills start greyish before developing the adult's red colouration.

Size

Length

65cm to 68cm

Wingspan

90cm to 100cm

Weight

196g to 232g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Blue Black

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Red

Leg Colour

Red

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red-billed Blue Magpie can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red-billed Blue Magpie can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red-billed Blue Magpie is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Red-billed Blue Magpies inhabit a range of woodland habitats, including broadleaf and mixed forests, forest edges, and clearings. They are found in parts of southern and eastern Asia, including China, India, and Southeast Asian countries.

These non-migratory birds maintain their territories year-round. They are particularly common in hilly and mountainous regions and adapt well to various elevations within their range.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Subtropical, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-billed Blue Magpie. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons