Javan green magpie | |
---|---|
Individual at Chester Zoo | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Corvidae |
Genus: | Cissa |
Species: | C. thalassina
|
Binomial name | |
Cissa thalassina (
Temminck, 1826)
|
The Javan green magpie (Cissa thalassina) is a passerine bird in the crow family, Corvidae. This critically endangered species is endemic to montane forests on the Indonesian island of Java. [1] [2] It formerly included the Bornean green magpie as a subspecies, in which case the "combined" species was known as the short-tailed magpie. [2]
Once common, the species has declined drastically as a result of habitat loss and illegal capture for the wild animal trade. [3] The size of the remaining wild population is unknown, but perhaps only around 50 individuals, [3] while others speculate that the lack of recent sightings might mean that it already is extinct in the wild. [4]
In an attempt at saving the species, a captive breeding program based on confiscated individuals has been initiated by the Cikananga Wildlife Center in Java (since 2011) and a few European EAZA zoos (since 2015). [3] [5] It has successfully bred at both the Javan and European facilities, [4] [5] and as of 2018 this captive population had reached about 50 individuals. [6]
Javan green magpies are primarily a vivid green, with a black "mask" marking around their eyes, russet wings, and white tertiary feathers. They have bright red beaks and eyerings; their legs are equally bright, ranging from red to orange. Their eyes are dark brown and they have a relatively short tail.
The bright green plumage is the result of a combination of structural coloration, and the yellow pigment lutein, which they gain from their insect diet. [3] They also feed on small lizards and frogs. [4]
In captivity, adults turn bluish (the structural colour of their feathers) if their diet is inadequate in lutein. [3]
Javan green magpies lay cream coloured speckled eggs [7] and are altricial, hatching with no feathers, completely dependant on their parents. A fledgeling's initial plumage is bluish, with the dark face and wing markings. They have beige-brown beaks and eyerings with light orange legs. After their first moult they become green. [5]
Javan green magpie | |
---|---|
Individual at Chester Zoo | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Corvidae |
Genus: | Cissa |
Species: | C. thalassina
|
Binomial name | |
Cissa thalassina (
Temminck, 1826)
|
The Javan green magpie (Cissa thalassina) is a passerine bird in the crow family, Corvidae. This critically endangered species is endemic to montane forests on the Indonesian island of Java. [1] [2] It formerly included the Bornean green magpie as a subspecies, in which case the "combined" species was known as the short-tailed magpie. [2]
Once common, the species has declined drastically as a result of habitat loss and illegal capture for the wild animal trade. [3] The size of the remaining wild population is unknown, but perhaps only around 50 individuals, [3] while others speculate that the lack of recent sightings might mean that it already is extinct in the wild. [4]
In an attempt at saving the species, a captive breeding program based on confiscated individuals has been initiated by the Cikananga Wildlife Center in Java (since 2011) and a few European EAZA zoos (since 2015). [3] [5] It has successfully bred at both the Javan and European facilities, [4] [5] and as of 2018 this captive population had reached about 50 individuals. [6]
Javan green magpies are primarily a vivid green, with a black "mask" marking around their eyes, russet wings, and white tertiary feathers. They have bright red beaks and eyerings; their legs are equally bright, ranging from red to orange. Their eyes are dark brown and they have a relatively short tail.
The bright green plumage is the result of a combination of structural coloration, and the yellow pigment lutein, which they gain from their insect diet. [3] They also feed on small lizards and frogs. [4]
In captivity, adults turn bluish (the structural colour of their feathers) if their diet is inadequate in lutein. [3]
Javan green magpies lay cream coloured speckled eggs [7] and are altricial, hatching with no feathers, completely dependant on their parents. A fledgeling's initial plumage is bluish, with the dark face and wing markings. They have beige-brown beaks and eyerings with light orange legs. After their first moult they become green. [5]