If you see a blue and white flying bird about 60 cm long near the "Twin Pools" on the Dali University campus, gliding lightly among the tree crowns, accompanied by a "chirping" sound, it must be a beautiful The red-billed blue magpie is .
The red-billed blue magpie is a large crow with a body length of 50-65 cm. It is also known as the long-tailed mountain magpie, long-tailed blue magpie, red-tailed chough, long-tailed chough, etc. It is the bird with the largest body and the longest tail among magpies. One of the most beautiful in length and plumage. The red-billed blue magpie has red beak and feet, black head, neck, throat and chest. There is a white to light blue-white or purple-gray patch from the top of the head to the back of the neck. The rest of the upper body is purple-blue-gray or light blue-gray brown; the tail is long. , in black and white.
The red-billed blue magpie is mainly distributed in the Himalayan Mountains region, and is included in my country's "List of Terrestrial Wild Animals Protected by the Nation and Beneficial or of Important Economic and Scientific Research Value" and the " IUCN Red List of Endangered Species" 》(no risk).
"The Classic of Mountains and Seas" records: "Two hundred and twenty miles to the west, it is said to be the mountain of three dangers, and the three green torii houses there." According to research, the red-billed blue magpie is the blue bird in Chinese mythology and legend. Legend has it that the Queen Mother of the West had three bluebirds. One was sent as a messenger to report to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. The other two came with the Queen Mother of the West and served beside the Queen Mother of the West. Li Shangyin The poem goes: "There is not much way to reach Pengshan, and the bluebird is diligent to visit." The red-billed blue magpie (bluebird) has long been praised as a messenger to deliver messages.
Although the red-billed blue magpie is alert by nature, because it is on campus, it seems to have gradually become accustomed to crowds.
At this moment, the red-billed blue magpie in front of me was looking for food in the grass, and then flew up the branches. Their movements are elegant and their postures are graceful, especially their long tails, which are not only very eye-catching among the green leaves, but also look particularly graceful and luxurious. He even said hello softly while looking at me taking pictures.
These dozen or so red-billed blue magpies are located on the edge of "Shuangtan" and Cangshan Mountain, hiding in the woods or jumping among the grass. They have become our beautiful animal neighbors and also decorate the "university in the landscape" - —The beautiful campus of Dali University.
(picture taken recently; originated from Teng Qing’s hut)
