Crows (Corvidae)

Black Magpie (Platysmurus leucopterus) - HBW 14, p. 567

French: Geai à ailes blanches German: Trauerelster Spanish: Urraca Negra
Other common names: White-winged Magpie(!)/Jay; Black Jay, Black Crested Magpie (aterrimus)

Taxonomy: Glaucopis leucopterus Temminck, 1824, Sumatra.
Affinities uncertain; probably one of the most primitive members of the family, but has received remarkably little study. Races well differentiated, and may represent two separate species. Research, including comparative molecular studies, required. Two subspecies currently recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • leucopterus ( Temminck, 1824) - Malay Peninsula S from extreme S Myanmar (S Tenasserim) and S Thailand, Bintan (in Riau Archipelago), Sumatra and Bangka I.
  • aterrimus ( Temminck, 1829) - Borneo.