Urocissa caerulea (Gould, 1863)
The Formosan blue magpie is a protected species with black head, red beak, bright blue body and long tail feathers, which, except for the central two feathers, are ended in white and matched with black feathers inside.
The Formosan blue magpie mainly dwells in the broad-leaved forests of the mountains at an altitude of 100-1200 meters. It is noisy and ferocious. Being omnivorous, it preys on large insects, small birds, nestlings, snakes, wild mice, lizards, or fruits. The Formosan blue magpies usually nest on tips of large trees in the border between woods and meadows. They love to live in groups, breeding 4-6 eggs each time. During the breeding season, other birds of the same group would help feeding the babies.
The Formosan blue magpie is an endemic species of Taiwan, which is a rare resident bird. During the non-breeding season, three to six or more birds can be spotted flying in line over the lower-altitude forest or a hillside towards the valley, with long tails dragging, which is also popularly admired as parade of long tails.