The taxonomic position of Arabian Magpie is currently
uncertain, although it is generally regarded as a subspecies of Eurasian
Magpie. The latest IOC World Bird List regards it as such, though, however,
there is a caveat saying “MtDNA phylogeny suggests that Eurasian Magpie
comprises several potential species including Asir Magpie P. asirensis”. In a number of recent publications, however, P. p. asirensis has been listed as a
separate species P. asirensis due to
isolation within a very restricted range and differences in vocalizations and
structural features suggested that treatment as a separate monotypic species is
warranted. Arabian Magpies are sedentary and localised and occur especially in
the juniper forest zone, often in well vegetated upland valleys and wadis, of
the Asir highlands 1850–3000 m asl. Many of these areas are remote and
difficult to access so the exact numbers of birds is difficult to assess but
the estimated breeding population has been noted as a minimum of 135 pairs and
a maximum of 500 pairs (Jennings 2010). The spcies has a very restricted range
in southwest mountains from Abha to An Numas north of Tanoumah. Birds are regularly
seen in the Tanoumah area and Ahmed AlKassim managed to photograph two on the
top of a juniper bush. Ahmed has very kindly allowed me to use his photo on my
website which is shown below, the copyright of which remains with Ahmed.
