Species: Urocissa ornata Common name: Sri Lanka Blue Magpie Status: Vulnerable - verging endangered Trend Pop: Population in rapid decline Urocissa ornata This Mondays threatened species articles focuses on a species of bird that is hastily declining. Urocissa ornata as its scientifically known and commonly known as the (Blue Magpie) is listed as vulnerable. While many species and (genera) of magpie rarely get a mention in conservation articles we think its about time that organisations internationally and locally begin focusing on our Asian/Afro magpie species. Least forgetting our Eurasian magpies from the species Pica which is unrelated to the Asian species although listed as least concern habitat fragmentation is slowly affecting our Eurasian species. Urocissa ornata was identified back in 1829 by Dr Johann Georg Wagler whom was a German herpetologist. Dr Wagler was assistant to Johann Baptist von Spix, and became Director of the Zoological Museum at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich after Spixs death in 1826. He worked on the extensive collections brought back from Brazil, and wrote Monographia Psittacorum (1832), which included descriptions of the blue macaws. a decade after identifying U. ornata Dr Georg accidentally killed himself with a single gun shot wound. U. ornata is listed as vulnerable and as explained the species is heavily declining for many reasons listed below. This particular species is also commonly known as the Ceylon Blue Magpie, Ceylon Magpie, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie or just - Sri Lanka Magpie. Endemic only to Sri Lanka this rather beautiful Asiatic magpie can be located in dense wet evergreen temperate rain forest of which both male and female build stick like nests. Females normally produce around three to four eggs which are heavily spotted brown. Size comparisons of both the Sri Lanken magpie to that of the European magpie is really no different ranging from 45-60cms. Calling melodies consist of mimicry, a loud chink-chink and a rasping krak-krak-krak-krak. Mimicrying is an instance of mimicking. Were not quite sure what made Dr Johann Georg Wagler study this particular species - we know that he was rather interested in the study of parrots [macaws] of which we believe the main study was communication. Magpies like macaws and parrots have an excellent memory, are quite aggressive at times, and have this unique skill of mimicking other birds or humans. Macaws are excellent at mimicrying or (mimicking) why is still fairly understood. One reason may be to ward of predators as both parrots and our Asiatic magpies host some pretty wide variations of plumage color, or it could be to attract mates. Population trends are declining - rather than stable. Back in the early millennium populations of the blue magpie was placed at some 10,181-19,765 individuals. However, the species is a cooperative breeder with a monogamous mating system, so the effective population size and the number of mature individuals may be considerably fewer. Hence we retain a lower estimate of 9,500-19,500 for mature individuals. Since this last evaluation from 2004-2006 and taking the declining populations still into account its quite possible that the species population size has declined to some 18,900 as of habitat destruction becoming more wide spread. The species is legally protected within Sri Lanka and features on some of the countries stamps as a mascot bird. The main threats are the extensive clearance and degradation of forests, particularly in the wet zone, owing to conversion to agriculture, especially tea plantations which is [legal]. Logging, fuelwood collection, gem mining, settlement and fire all contribute to forest encroachment, the loss and degradation of riparian forests and fragmentation of remaining forest complexes. Some protected forests continue to be degraded and suffer further fragmentation. Forest die-back in montane areas, perhaps a result of air pollution, is a potential threat. Hunting probably contributed to its historical decline but is unlikely to be a major threat today. There is some evidence to suggest that it is prevented from colonising disturbed areas by high rates of brood-parasitism by the Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea. In the hill country, biocides may be contributing to its decline. View the video here of the Blue Magpie: youtu.be/VhQItBZTnfc (quite a fascinating video and one youll all love) :) Josa Depre Environmentalism and Botanical Studies. speakupforthevoiceless.org (Subscribe to our Environmental and Animal Welfare/ enforcement and Investigation news site). international-animalrescue-foundation.org.uk (please donate) saynotodogmeat.net (please help us end the African and Asian pet meat trade today) For more information please feel free to contact myself here at; [email protected]
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 03:06:41 +0000
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