Xinjiang Ground Jay
Podoces biddulphi
白尾地鸦
Introduction
A corvid species (family Corvidae) endemic to Xinjiang, China. Small bird not larger than an adult human's hand with brownish white plumage. Listed as Near Threatened since 2004 due to habitat fragmentation and degradation, with a small population and limited geographic range.
Description
Beige plumage with partly black and white wings and a black cap. Features a sharp downward-curving beak with a black mustache-like marking extending upward toward the cap. Eyes are deep brown.
Distribution & Habitat
Endemic to Xinjiang, China. Inhabits desert and semi-desert habitats, nesting toward the center of oases. Sometimes attracted to human-influenced areas such as highways but typically avoids nesting near them.
Behavior & Ecology
Primarily insectivorous, feeding mostly on insects including bugs. Breeding season occurs from March to May. Females incubate clutches of 1-3 eggs for 18 days in open nests, primarily during morning hours, increasing incubation time in low temperatures and providing shade when temperatures are high. Monogamous with males larger than females. Parents share feeding duties.
Conservation
IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened since 2004. Primary threats are habitat fragmentation and degradation. The species has a small population restricted to a limited range.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Corvidae
- Genus
- Podoces
- eBird Code
- xigjay1
Distribution
desert of northwestern China (western Xinjiang)
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.