Azure-winged Magpie

The azure-winged magpie is a slender member of the crow family, 31–35cm long and shaped rather like a smaller-billed, shorter-legged Eurasian magpie. A glossy black crown contrasts with its white throat and pale grey-fawn back and underparts. The wings and long, 16–20cm tail are azure blue, producing the bird's most conspicuous field mark. Its eastern populations inhabit both coniferous, especially pine, and broadleaf woodland and also use parks and gardens. (Wikipedia, azure-winged magpie account)

The species occurs across eastern Asia, including China, Korea and Japan, extending north into Mongolia and southern Siberia. Azure-winged magpies forage in family parties or combined groups that can reach seventy birds, with the largest flocks gathering after breeding and through winter. They eat acorns and pine nuts alongside invertebrates, larvae, soft fruit, berries and scraps. Loose colonies contain one nest per tree; clutches usually have six to eight eggs and incubation lasts fifteen days. (Wikipedia, azure-winged magpie account)