Whilst birding the Tanoumah area of southwest
Saudi Arabia in the summer we found a family party of Arabian Magpies. The
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica includes an
isolated population, Arabian Magpie Pica pica
asirensisis, endemic to the Asir province of southwest Saudi Arabia where
it has a very restricted range. The area where the birds occur is part of the
Asir mountain range (which extends into Yemen), a region holding all but one of
the Arabian endemic bird species, suggesting the magpie population has been
isolated for a very long time. The bird was first described by Bates 1936 after
collection by Philby who said it was plentiful in the Asir mountain region and
is unmistakable within its restricted range. Differences from the nominate
population of Europe include a darker, duller overall colouration with only a
slight sheen and with less white on the scapulars and primaries, all black
rump, shorter wings, much shorter tail with a purple gloss and larger bill and
feet. The juvenile differs from the adult by being duller, with black areas of
the plumage unglossed, and white areas washed with brown. Birds are very vocal
as group members call to keep in contact with each other, generally calling
throughout the day, and in my experience this is often how they are located in
the field, with at least three types of calls noted: A full loud ‘quaynk
quaynk’, made when the bird calls from a top branch or while moving which is
presumably the main contact call. A similar tone ‘Quenk Quenk’, is uttered when
the bird is searching for insects or under some stress and may be some sort of alarm call; while the young birds
make a much softer ‘qua qua’, which seems to be a soliciting call during food
begging or when following their parents. The distinct calls along with
morphological differences have led a number of observers to suggest that
asirensis is specifically distinct, however, others disagree and say the calls
are similar to distress calls of nominate Eurasian Magpie. Recordings indicate
Arabian Magpie calls are very different from nominate pica pica but there is debate whether the calls are substantially
different. Some people say Eurasian Magpie calls sound like asirensis calls, but are not as loud,
clear or as often repeated, whereas others like myself suggest they are
different.
