Platysmurus aterrimus
The Bornean Black Magpie, *Platysmurus aterrimus*, is a striking, medium-sized corvid endemic to the island of Borneo, distinguished by its entirely glossy black plumage. It measures approximately 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) in length, featuring a proportionately long tail and a robust, dark bill. Its head often appears somewhat shaggy due to elongated feathers, sometimes giving the impression of a subtle crest, and its eyes are a piercing reddish-brown, offering a subtle contrast to its dark fea...
Resides primarily in the canopy and sub-canopy of lowland and hill dipterocarp rainforests, extending up to elevations of around 1,500 meters (4,900 feet). Favors primary and mature secondary forests, often near forest edges or clearings.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates such as beetles, caterpillars, orthopterans, and spiders, supplemented with small amounts of wild fruits. Forages by gleaning from foliage and bark surfaces in the arboreal layer.
The Bornean Black Magpie is an active, diurnal bird frequently observed in small family groups of 3-7 individuals, though larger, looser flocks up to 20 birds can form during non-breeding periods. They are highly arboreal, spending most of their time foraging amongst the foliage and bark of trees...
The Bornean Black Magpie is strictly resident and endemic to the island of Borneo, distributed across both the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah, as well as Brunei, and the Indonesian provinces of Kalimantan. Its distribution is continuous across the island's lowland and hill rainforests, typ...
Least Concern
- Despite its 'magpie' name, it is a rather atypical member of the magpie group, lacking the typical long, graduated tail and contrasting plumage patterns of many other magpies. - Its entirely glossy black plumage is a distinctive feature, especially for a corvid in a tropical rainforest environm...