Cissa hypoleuca
The Indochinese Green Magpie, *Cissa hypoleuca*, is a stunning member of the crow family (Corvidae), renowned for its vivid, almost emerald green plumage that can sometimes fade to a turquoise-blue when exposed to sunlight, due to pigment degradation. Measuring approximately 34-39 cm in length, including its long, graduated tail which accounts for over half its body length, and weighing around 120-140 grams, this species is instantly recognizable by its bright yellow-orange bill, crimson-red ...
This magpie primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland broadleaf evergreen forests, as well as montane forests, often found along forest edges, clearings, or riparian zones. It typically occurs at elevations from lowlands up to 1,500 meters, though occasionally recorded higher.
Omnivorous, feeding primarily on large insects such as beetles, mantids, and cicadas, as well as small vertebrates including lizards, frogs, bird eggs, and nestlings. They also consume various fruits and berries.
The Indochinese Green Magpie is a diurnal and highly active bird, usually observed singly, in pairs, or small family groups, foraging primarily in the forest understory and mid-canopy, but also frequently descending to the ground. It employs various foraging techniques, including gleaning insects...
The Indochinese Green Magpie is a resident species distributed across mainland Southeast Asia, encompassing southern China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and parts of eastern and northern Thailand. Its range in China specifically includes Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, and it is also found on Hainan Is...
Least Concern
- The vibrant green plumage of the Indochinese Green Magpie is not solely structural but contains carotenoid pigments, which can degrade to a bluish hue if the bird is exposed to prolonged sunlight, making individuals appear blue or turquoise. - Unlike many corvids which often form large flocks, ...