Dickbeak kitta
| Dickbeak kitta | ||||||||||||
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Thick-billed kitta ( Urocissa caerulea ) |
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| Urocissa caerulea | ||||||||||||
| Gould , 1863 |
The Taiwan Blue Magpie ( Urocissa caerulea , Chinese臺灣藍鵲Taiwan lánquè) is on the island of Taiwan endemic species of bird in the family Corvidae . In his homeland he is also called the mountain lady with the long tail (Chinese: 長尾 山 娘 Chángwěi Shānniáng; Taiwanese : Tn̂g-boé Soaⁿ-niû). In an internet vote organized by the International Bird Friends Association in Taiwan in 2007, it was chosen as the unofficial "national bird " of Taiwan.
description
The body length of the thick-billed kitta is 63 to 69 cm. The long tail, which measures up to 40 cm, is characteristic. The wings reach a length between 18 and 21 cm. The plumage of the rooster and hen is alike. The head, neck and chest are black, eyes yellow, beak and legs red. The rest of the plumage is a deep dark blue, with the lower abdomen being lighter in color. The feathers on the wing tips and the tip of the tail are white.
Occurrence
The thick-billed kitta is usually found in the Taiwanese mountain forests at altitudes between 300 and 1200 m. It can be found frequently within its range and is classified as “not endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ). However, due to its peculiarity as an endemic animal species in Taiwan, it has been a "rare and valuable" species under the Law for the Protection of Valuable Cultural Heritage (Chinese: 文化 資產 保存 法 Wénhuà zīchǎn bǎocún fǎ) since 1989.
behavior
Thick-billed kittas are gregarious and are often found in groups of six or more. When they fly together, they often fly one behind the other as if in a row. Similar to the magpie , its call consists of a croaking "chatter" from rapidly successive series of calls. They are omnivores , their diet includes fruits, plants and seeds, but also insects, small birds and rodents or snakes. Sometimes leftover food is saved for later consumption. Thick-billed kittas live monogamous . While the hen is brooding, the roosters help with nest building and foraging. The breeding season is between March and April. Between three and eight olive-green and brown speckled eggs are laid in the bowl-shaped nest. Hatching takes place after 17 to 19 days. When threatened by attackers, thick-billed kittas defend their nest vehemently.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Website of the International Bird Friends Association Taiwan ( Memento of the original from October 14, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ^ IUCN website
