Loading AI tools
Species of bird From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| 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) | |
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]
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
.jpg){kind=small}
