The Formosan blue magpie, scientifically known as Urocissa caerulea, is a striking and unique bird endemic to Taiwan[1]. Often called the "long-tailed mountain lady" in Chinese, this species is known for its vibrant blue plumage and exceptionally long tail[1]. These gregarious birds typically live in groups of 3-12 individuals and exhibit an interesting flying behavior where they follow each other in a line, aptly named "long-tailed formation"[1].
What makes the Formosan blue magpie particularly fascinating is its cooperative breeding system. During the breeding season, which spans from March to July, not only do the parents tend to their young, but other adult magpies also participate in feeding and protecting the nestlings[1][5]. This collaborative approach to child-rearing is relatively rare in the bird world and showcases the species' complex social structure.
The Formosan blue magpie holds cultural significance for several indigenous Taiwanese peoples, including the Tsou, Thao, and Bunun. In their folklore, this sacred bird played a crucial role during a great flood, sacrificing itself to carry fire tinder from Yu Shan summit back to the people, ensuring their survival[1]. This mythological connection highlights the bird's importance in Taiwan's cultural landscape, blending natural history with local traditions.
福爾摩沙藍鵲，學名Urocissa caerulea，是台灣特有的引人注目的獨特鳥類。在中文中常被稱為"長尾山娘"，這種鳥以其鮮艷的藍色羽毛和特長的尾巴而聞名。這些群居鳥類通常以3-12隻為一組生活，並展現出有趣的飛行行為，它們會一字排開跟隨彼此飛行，被恰當地稱為"長尾陣型"。
福爾摩沙藍鵲特別引人入勝的是其合作育雛系統。在3月到7月的繁殖季節，不僅親鳥會照顧幼鳥，其他成年藍鵲也會參與餵食和保護雛鳥。這種協作育兒方式在鳥類世界中相對罕見，展現了該物種複雜的社會結構。
福爾摩沙藍鵲對台灣幾個原住民族，包括鄒族、邵族和布農族，具有文化意義。在他們的民間傳說中，這種神聖的鳥在大洪水期間扮演了關鍵角色，犧牲自己將火種從玉山峰頂帶回給人們，確保了他們的生存。這種神話連結突顯了這種鳥在台灣文化景觀中的重要性，將自然歷史與當地傳統融為一體。
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_blue_magpie
[2] https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=5B15BB69C9AB9FEC
[3] https://culture.teldap.tw/culture/index.php?catid=163%3Abiosphere-and-nature&id=1122%3Ahighlights-from-the-collection-formosan-blue-magpie&option=com_content&view=article
[4] https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/8415-Urocissa-caerulea
[5] https://www.taiwan-panorama.com/Articles/Details?CatId=7&Guid=e9561550-a39d-463b-86df-16a2b3b7a599&langId=3
[6] https://dibird.com/species/taiwan-blue-magpie/
[7] https://dictionary.writtenchinese.com/worddetail/taiwanlanque/223858/2/2
[8] https://earthlife.net/formosan-blue-magpies/
