Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Himalayan Magpies
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
Blue magpie species are frequently observed from Kashmir to Myanmar.
About Himalayan Magpies
- Magpies belong to the Corvidae family, which also includes crows, jays, and ravens.
- These birds are typically noisy and inquisitive, often featured as omens in folklore around the world.
- Species Distribution and Habitat:
- Gold-billed Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris): Also known as the yellow-billed blue magpie, this species inhabits high altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level, thriving in the high-altitude zones of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Myanmar.
- Red-billed Magpie: Found at slightly lower altitudes than the gold-billed magpie.
- Blue Magpie: Occupies lower altitudes and is more likely to be found near human settlements. It builds nests in rhododendron trees.
- IUCN Status: ‘Least Concerned’
Observations:
- The best sightings of yellow and red-billed magpies are along a trekking corridor in Western Sikkim, which spans from tropical forests at lower altitudes to Alpine landscapes.
- Over 250 species of birds have been documented in this region, with significant bird activity around 2,500 meters.
PYQ:[2014] If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects, disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
