The black-rumped magpie (Pica bottanensis) is a species of magpie that was described in 1840. It is black-and-white, with bluish-green highlights, looking largely similar to the Eurasian magpie, of which it was formerly a subspecies, before it was made its own species in 2018. It is found in west-central China and central Bhutan, in low-altitude parks or farmland. Its nesting behavior is largely similar to other magpies, laying a single brood sometime from April to June.
The monotypic black-rumped magpie was first described by Adolphe Delessert in 1840 as a subspecies of the Eurasian magpie(Pica pica),[1] before a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2018 classified it as its own species, finding that it was a sister taxon to the Asir magpie from southwestern Saudi Arabia.[2] It was later recognized as a full species by the IOC World Bird List in version 8.2.[3] Its genus, Pica, comes from the Latin word pica, meaning "magpie". Its specific descriptior, bottanensis, comes from the French words for Bhutan, Bottan or Boutan, according to Birds of the World.[4]
Description
The black-rumped magpie is black-and-white, with its namesake black rump, brighter plumage, stouter bill, and shorter tail being the main distinctive features from the closely related Oriental and Eurasian magpies.[4] Its wings and tail are black and iridescent and faintly glossy, and are tinted greeish-blue, while the flanks and central underparts are white.[4] Wings are around 233–250mm (9.2–9.8in) for females and 241–259mm (9.5–10.2in) for males, with tails being 250mm (9.8in).[5][6]
Vocalizations
Similar to many other corvids, the black-rumped magpie has a subdued, warbling song, "interspersed with high-pitched notes and even some mimicry." Mainly sung by unpaired individuals, these songs are only audible at close range.[7] Its typical call is a "raucous, explosive rapid chatter."[4]
Distribution and habitat
The black-rumped magpie is found in central Bhutan to Qinghai and western Sichuan in west-central China, to eastern Tibet.[8][4] It is found in farmland and other semi-open habitat like farming districts, parks or gardens. They are uncommon in high altitudes, however they have been observed as high as 4,800m (15,700ft), with nests at 4,400m (14,400ft).[4][9]
Behavior
Black-rumped magpie are monogamous, forming long-term pairs that persist across nesting seasons and even flocking.[4] Like other magpies, they are social birds, often ecountered in pairs or family parties, and sometimes communal roosts of up to 30 birds.[7][4]
Nest construction, handled by both sexes, begins in late March, with a single brood of eggs being laid around April to June. Clutches are usually 4-5 eggs, however there can be as many or as little as 6 and 3 eggs.[7][4] Black-rumped magpie nests are massive, domed structures, composed of various twigs and plant fibers. Nests will occasionally be built on top of older nests.[4][7]
The black-rumped magpie's diet is carnivorous, consisting mainly of invertebrates, lizards, small mammals, frogs, other birds, and carrion. They primarily feed on the ground, side-hopping to catch prey, and holding their tail upwards while hunting. They occasionally perch on cattle and sheep to feed on ectoparasites.[4]
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