Indochinese Green-Magpie

This small bird is approximately 35 cm (14 in) in length and has a unique fluorescent plumage just like the other members of the Cissa genus. However, its body is mostly green and those with an underbelly of yellow color are unique to the southern populations in Southeast Asia with the exception of the Chinese population that still have green underbellies, just like the other Cissa birds. They have a black band that goes from their bill, over their crimson eyes, and to the back of their head, that looks similar to the mask of the popular movie character Zorro. They have long reddish-brown flight feathers, and a bill and legs that are brightly red colored. Both sexes look mostly similar, but the juveniles have duller colors than the adults. Duller colors can also be seen when the birds are exposed to too much sunlight.

The yellow-breasted magpie is native to Asia, and can be found in China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. It can tolerate altitudes of up to 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) and they span over a region of about 1,920,000 km2 (740,000 sq mi). They stay in these areas all year long and do not migrate. It can be found in moist forests within the tropical and subtropical regions of their distribution. Due to their bright green plumage, they can be seen easily when jumping from branch to branch in foliage. Therefore this is why they mainly occur in the tree canopies of forests, as this camouflages their green plumage better, protecting them from predation.

This passerine bird is very loud and loves to hang out in the foliage of its forest habitat. They have been spotted alone, in pairs, or in small groups. They can be sometimes seen in mixed flocks with laughingthrushes (Garrulax leucolophus) and drongos. The Indochinese green magpie does not migrate and stays in its native range. It has a mainly carnivorous diet and eats lot of different things. An adult Indochinese green magpie once lived for 18 years in captivity. When hunting their prey, they stalk it, corner it and then the male will make the kill.

Vocalizations. Much like other corvids, the Indochinese green magpie is a songbird and has a very good and precise control of its syrinx. It can produce sounds like noisy chattering, rasping notes, screeches, and ringing whistles. They can generate high-pitched series of notes that sounds like "po-puueeee-chuk", followed by lower pitched "eeeoooeeep groak".

Food and feeding. The yellow-breasted magpie can eat a lot of different things, as it is carnivorous. Its diet includes small frogs, insects, eggs of snakes and lizards, and nestlings. The insects from its diet eat a lot of lutein-rich plants, which is a yellow carotenoid pigment. This component is what makes the birds from the Cissa genus go from blue to bright green. …