Classroom lesson · Wildlife · 🇹🇼 Taiwan

Taiwan blue magpie - the long-tailed mountain lady

A bright blue bird with a tail almost as long as its body

A Taiwan blue magpie with bright blue feathers and long tail on a branch

Photo · Wikimedia Commons

What is it?

The Taiwan blue magpie is a striking bird that lives only on the island of Taiwan. It has a black head, a bright red beak, deep blue feathers and a long, swooping tail that is almost as long as the rest of its body. It is sometimes called the 'long-tailed mountain lady' for its elegant looks.

Tell me more

Taiwan blue magpies travel in family groups, usually six to ten birds together. They fly low through the forest in a long line, one after the other, each tail sweeping along. From far away, the whole group looks like a row of dancing kites.

They are very loyal to each other. When one bird builds a nest, the others help. Older sisters and brothers - not yet old enough to have their own families - bring food to the chicks. This is unusual in the bird world. Most birds raise their babies alone.

Taiwan blue magpies are brave. If a snake or a larger bird comes too close to a nest, the whole family will mob it together, swooping and calling loudly until the danger goes away. They have been known to chase away animals far bigger than themselves.

In 2007, the people of Taiwan held a public vote to choose a national bird. The Taiwan blue magpie won. Today, you see paintings and statues of it in schools, on streets and on souvenirs all across the island.

In the classroom

Walk your class through this in 15 minutes.

Talk together

Discussion prompts

  1. 01Why might it help a baby bird to be raised by lots of family members, not just two parents?
  2. 02Small birds sometimes chase away much bigger animals. How can being small still feel strong?
  3. 03If your country held a vote for a national bird, which one would you choose - and why?
Try this

Classroom activity

Hold a class vote for a 'class bird'. Each pupil picks any bird they know and draws it on a small card with three reasons. Pin them all to the wall and vote. Discuss what your choice says about what your class values - colour, song, cleverness, or kindness.