Skip to main content

Red-billed blue magpie

Urocissa erythroryncha


This brightly coloured member of the crow family has a long tail with striking blue and white feathers which are thought to be used during courtship displays. The bill, legs, feet and ring around the eye are also vibrant tones of orange and red.

Crows, in general, and magpies especially are considered to be very intelligent birds. They are the same size as the European magpie except with a much longer tail. They can be up to 68cm long and weigh up to 232g.

We became home to this bird in 2016 when we welcomed a male bird from Chester Zoo and a female bird from Paignton Zoo. In 2017, we celebrated when two chicks hatched.

IUCN red list status

""

The IUCN status of the red-billed blue magpie is least concern.

For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org (link opens in new window).

Animal class

Bird

Conservation status

The IUCN considers the red-billed blue magpie to not be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Habitat

Mountainous forests

Population

There is not currently enough information regarding the population of this bird.

Diet

Omnivore. This bird eats a wide range of food, such as invertebrates, small mammals, fruit and seeds. On occasion they will rob nests of chicks and eggs.