Bornean Green-Magpie

Fascinating facts about the Bornean Green-Magpie

• Deep in Borneo's rainforest, a flash of iridescent green darts between trees - the Bornean Green-Magpie's wings beat up to 5 times per second, allowing it to dodge obstacles with ease, its long tail feathers streaming behind like a banner.
• In a single year, a Bornean Green-Magpie may cache over 1,000 seeds and nuts, remembering where it hid each one using a mental map of its 10-square-kilometre territory, a feat equivalent to recalling the location of every house on a large city block.
• Scientist Robert B. Payne found that the Bornean Green-Magpie's complex social dynamics are built around monogamous pairs, with pairs staying together for up to 10 years - a rare longevity in bird relationships, and one that suggests a deep evolutionary investment in cooperation.
• Reaching speeds of up to 30 km/h through dense underbrush, the Bornean Green-Magpie pursues its prey - from giant forest centipedes to tiny geckos - with a fearlessness that belies its bright, jewel-toned plumage, every swift movement a testament to its lightning-fast reflexes.
• Over 80% of the Bornean Green-Magpie's diet consists of invertebrates - beetles, spiders, and millipedes - which it extracts from tree bark and leaf litter using its sturdy, hooked beak, a foraging strategy that makes it a vital link in the forest ecosystem, regulating insect populations with precision.

At a glance

About the Bornean Green-Magpie

The Bornean Green-Magpie (Cissa jefferyi) is a striking avian jewel found exclusively in the montane forests of Borneo. With its vibrant emerald plumage, accented by contrasting shades of blue on the wings and tail, this bird captures the imagination of wildlife enthusiasts and ornithologists alike. Adult birds boast a distinctive long tail and a sharp, curved bill, which they adeptly use to forage for insects, fruits, and small invertebrates. Preferring the dense canopy of primary and secondary forests, these magpies are often spotted in pairs or small groups, their melodious calls echoing through the misty undergrowth. Their preference for high-altitude habitats, ranging from 1,200 to 2,400 meters, makes them an intriguing subject for studies on avian adaptation and ecology in mountainous regions. Behaviorally, Bornean Green-Magpies exhibit a fascinating mix of curiosity and wariness. They are known to engage in playful displays, often seen hanging upside down from branches as they search for food. Their diet primarily consists of insects, but they are opportunistic feeders, occasionally indulging in ripe fruits. A surprising trait of this species is its ability to mimic the calls of other birds, an adaptation that may aid in avoiding predators or attracting mates. As they flit through the forest, their vibrant colors contrast starkly with the lush greens of their habitat, making them a captivating sight for those fortunate enough to observe them in their natural environment, where the interplay of light and shadow adds to their allure.

Discover more wildlife