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RED BILLED BLUE MAGPIE
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
HOUSE NAMES: "Janear" and "Iago"
HABITAT: East central and southwest China. From the western Himalayas to China’s east coast, including Thailand, Myanmar (once known as Burma), and Indo-China.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
FUN FACT: They are known for their vocal mimicry, which is the ability to vocally imitate other species. Their varied calls include a high-pitched whistle that sounds like a flute.
DIET: Omnivorous, but mainly carnivorous. Eats various invertebrates, tree-frogs, small lizards, bird eggs and nestlings, and even small mammals. Also, carrion and kitchen scraps. A variety of fruits and berries are also eaten. Feeds on the ground and in trees.
DESCRIPTION: The bill, legs, and feet are bright orange-red to yellow in color. The ring around the eye is also orange-red. The head, neck, and breast are black with a bluish spotting on the crown of the head. The shoulders and rump are a duller blue; underparts are a greyish cream. The long tail is a brighter blue (as are the wing primaries) with a broad white tip. The tail can measure up to 17 inches in length, total body length is approximately 27 inches.
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