Passeriformes / Corvidae / Cyanopica
Azure-winged Magpie
Cyanopica cyanus · 灰喜鹊
Introduction
A member of the crow family (Corvidae) in the genus Cyanopica. It inhabits coniferous (mainly pine) and broadleaf forests, as well as parks and gardens in eastern populations.
Description
Length 31–35 cm. Slender with proportionately smaller legs and bill than the Eurasian magpie. Features a glossy black cap and white throat. Underparts and back are light grey-fawn. Wings and long tail feathers (16–20 cm) are azure blue.
Identification
Similar in shape to the Eurasian magpie but more slender. Distinguished from the Iberian magpie by the lack of white-tipped tail feathers.
Distribution & Habitat
Occurs in eastern Asia: China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and southern Siberia. Formerly considered conspecific with the Iberian magpie of Spain and Portugal, but genetic analysis confirms they are distinct species.
Behavior & Ecology
Forages in family groups or flocks of up to 70 birds, especially after breeding and in winter. Diet includes acorns, pine nuts, invertebrates, larvae, soft fruits, berries, and human scraps. Nests in loose, open colonies with one nest per tree. Clutch size is usually 6–8 eggs, incubated for 15 days. Asynchronous broods produce more eggs and fledglings than synchronous ones. Voice is a metallic kwink-kwink-kwink, often preceded by a single krarrah.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Corvidae
- Genus
- Cyanopica
Vocalizations
Subspecies (2)
-
Cyanopica cyanus cyanus
eastern Siberia and Mongolia eastward through northern and eastern China and Korean Peninsula
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
