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Sri Lanka Blue Magpie

Urocissa ornata

Description:

One of the most spectacular birds of Sri Lanka, the Blue Magpie inhabits dense, virgin forests of the wet zone and the hill country. It is between a House Crow and a Mynah in size. Its gorgeous blue and chestnut plumage seen against a backdrop of verdant green is a sight to behold. It is a very active and noisy bird which moves about in small flocks. Occasionally pairs or solitary birds are met with. The bird inhabits all levels of the forest, from the tops of tall trees to ground level. It hops about actively examining every nook and crevice for the small reptiles like geckos and lizards, frogs, insects and larvae on which it feeds. It also feeds on various kinds if fruit. While thus engaged, the bird adopts many acrobatic poses reminiscent of those of a tit. The Blue Magpie is a noisy bird, especially in rainy weather. The calls are usually harsh and raucous but at times clear bell like calls are uttered. It is a scarce and shy bird but locally common and bolder. The Sinharaja forest reserve is a good place to observe the bird. Breeding commences in January. The nest is strongly constructed with sticks, resembling that of a crow but smaller and lined with fine rootlets. It is placed amongst foliage at the top of a sapling or small tree, generally about 5 to 7 meters from ground level. In recent times nests have been regularly found in the Sinharaja forest reserve. The eggs usually number four. The eggs are whitish to yellowish in ground colour, speckled and blotched all over with pale red and dark buff-brown markings.

Habitat:

Sinharaja forest reserve

Notes:

Endemic to Sri Lanka

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9 Comments

NuwanChathuranga
NuwanChathuranga 10 years ago

Thank you Sandy, Kranti !

Kranti Dhiman
Kranti Dhiman 10 years ago

Beautiful !!

sandyespinosaf
sandyespinosaf 10 years ago

Wonderful colors

NuwanChathuranga
NuwanChathuranga 10 years ago

Thank you Bhagya, PurpleScarf and Jason!

Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander 10 years ago

Beautiful!

Saumya Wanniarachchi
Saumya Wanniarachchi 10 years ago

Awsm spotting Nuwan ! !!!!!!! ! Learned a lot ! Never knew these guys are noisy !

Bhagya Herath
Bhagya Herath 10 years ago

love this cutie ... nice spotting Nuwan....

NuwanChathuranga
NuwanChathuranga 10 years ago

Thanks Daniele!

DanielePralong
DanielePralong 10 years ago

What a fantastic bird Nuwan!

NuwanChathuranga
Spotted by
NuwanChathuranga

Deniyaya, Sri Lanka

Spotted on Aug 17, 2013
Submitted on Aug 24, 2013

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