Birdsong field guide
Black-rumped Magpie
Pica bottanensis
A robust, high-altitude corvid distinguished from its relatives by its namesake solid black rump and a relatively shorter tail. It is a highly intelligent and social member of the crow family endemic to the eastern Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau.
What it sounds like
A harsh, rapid, and repetitive chattering 'kak-kak-kak', generally deeper and more resonant than the call of the Eurasian Magpie.
Field notes
- Formerly classified as a subspecies of the Eurasian Magpie, it was elevated to species status due to significant genetic and morphological divergence.
- It is the only magpie in its range that completely lacks a white patch on the lower back and rump.
- The species possesses significantly shorter and broader wings compared to other Pica species, an adaptation for its mountainous environment.
- It is a generalist omnivore that frequently scavenges near high-altitude monasteries and human settlements for food scraps.
- Recent studies suggest its lineage diverged from other magpies during the mid-Pleistocene era as it adapted to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.
Habitat
Alpine meadows, high-altitude shrublands, and agricultural fringes near human habitation.
Range
Eastern Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau, primarily in Bhutan and west-central China.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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