The red-billed blue magpie

A red-billed blue magpie drinks water from a sprinkler while another waits aside at Shenzhen Bay Park in Nanshan District. Photos by Isaac Cohen

The red-billed blue magpie

The red-billed blue magpie (Urocissa erythroryncha), my favorite bird in the city, is easy to spot with its stunning combination of blue, white, and black feathers and a long, elegant blue tail with white tips that add to its overall beauty. Its vibrant red bill serves as a striking contrast against the black plumage on its face and the blue plumage on its back. The belly is white, echoing a white patch on the top of its head.

红嘴蓝鹊是我最喜欢的深圳鸟类。它们体态美丽，身披蓝、白、黑三色羽毛，尾甚长，呈淡蓝灰色，尖端具白色水滴状斑；喙朱红色，与蓝色的体羽和黑色的面部形成鲜明的对比；腹白色，头顶点缀着零星的白色羽毛。

This relatively large bird measures around 65 centimeters in length, making it one of the most prominent members of the magpie family. Typically found in forests, woodlands and gardens, it is known to thrive in both lowland and mountainous regions. These adaptable birds can be found in both subtropical and temperate environments.

体长约65厘米，是最大的鸦科鸟类之一。喜栖息于森林、林场及花园等生境，分布的海拔范围较广，从低地到山林都可见；分布的纬度范围也较广，能够适应亚热带及温带气候条件。

A red-billed blue magpie is seen at Bijia Hill Park, Futian District. 

These omnivorous birds feed on insects, fruits, seeds, small reptiles and even the occasional small mammal or bird’s eggs. Its diverse diet helps the magpie maintain balanced nutrition, allowing it to thrive in its habitat. Known for their lively and social behaviors, the birds often communicate with calls and forage together in small flocks.

红嘴蓝鹊的食性很杂，吃昆虫、水果、种子、小型爬行类、小型哺乳类动物，甚至还会偷窃鸟蛋。多样化的饮食有助于本物种保持均衡的营养，从而成为所栖息生境中的优势物种。此外，红嘴蓝鹊性活泼，展现出很强的社会性，它们经常通过叫声互相沟通，并集小群觅食。

They typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season. The female builds a nest using twigs, leaves and other natural materials, often in the branches of tall trees. She then lays a clutch of up to six eggs, which both parents incubate for approximately three weeks. Once the eggs hatch, both parents take turns to feed and care for the chicks until they are ready to fledge.

红嘴蓝鹊在繁殖期恪守一夫一妻制。雌鸟用树枝、叶子等天然材料在高大乔木的枝桠上筑巢，每窝产卵可达6枚，由亲鸟共同孵化约三周后，雏鸟破壳，再由双亲轮流喂养和照顾一段时间后方能离巢。

A red-billed blue magpie is seen at Bijia Hill Park, Futian District. 

The red-billed blue magpie plays an essential role in its ecosystem, helping control insect populations, particularly those that could harm crops or spread diseases. It also aids in seed dispersal, contributing to the growth and regeneration of plant species. 

红嘴蓝鹊在生态系统中扮演着至关重要的角色：能够帮助调控昆虫种群，对危害农作物或传播疾病的害虫进行有效的防止；还能协助种子传播，促进植物物种的生长和再生。