The taxonomic position of Arabian Magpie Pica
asirensis is certainly uncertain, although it is generally regarded as a
subspecies of Eurasian Magpie. Gill & Donsker (2016) regard it as such,
though there is a caveat “MtDNA phylogeny suggests that Eurasian Magpie
comprises several potential species including Korean Magpie P. sericea,
Mahgreb Magpie P. mauritanica and Asir Magpie P. asirensis”. Recently, P. p. asirensis has been
listed as a separate species P. asirensis forming a superspecies with P.
pica, P. nuttalli and P. hudsonia. Isolation within a very
restricted range and differences in vocalizations and structural features
suggested that treatment as a separate monotypic species is warranted (Madge
2016, van den Berg 2014). 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 from the Atlas of Breeding birds
of Arabia, has been noted as a minimum of 135 pairs and maximum 500 pairs. Five
surveys, February 1995–July 1996, resulted in a total of 147 sightings of 90
birds in the area between Taif and Abha, although all sightings were limited to
the area of Abha and 120 kilometres north of same, as well as Jebel Gaha (Ebels
2003). P. asirensisis is a taxon with a very restricted range, confined
to a small region within Saudi Arabia. Numbers are decreasing probably because
of heavy disturbance by tourism and perhaps changes in climate with warmer and
drier weather experienced in the Asir mountains in the last few decades. The
good rains in the region in spring 2016 coincided with an increase in sightings
of birds. The areas where Arabian Magpies have been seen in recent years appear
to be restricted to three widely spaced areas, one near Abha with numbers in
significant decline, one on the isolated Jebal Gaha where numbers are very low
and lastly the main stronghold in the Billasmar, Tanoumah and An Numas areas.
Estimating population size in this large and often inaccessible area is
difficult, but the small number of recent records of Arabian Magpie and
apparent reduction in its already very limited range suggests that the
estimated population size of 135–500 pairs is probably too high. Numbers may be
significantly less than this estimate with perhaps only 135 pairs or less. The
good news is that the species is still breeding in its core area at least, and
is found in areas near human habitation, sometimes utilizing waste food.
