Population
Estimated population is 9,000 - 19,500 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction and degradation due to conversion to agriculture are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Varied. A far-carrying, loud jingle, 'chink-chink'. A rasping 'crakrakrakrak'. A loud 'whee-whee'.
Sri Lanka Blue Magpie (Urocissa ornata) [XC344989]
by Jelle Scharringa from Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka (call)
Sri Lanka Blue Magpie (Urocissa ornata) [XC224203]
by Jim Holmes from Kitulgala, Kegalle, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Genus has sometimes been subsumed in Cissa, but three members of latter seem to form a distinctive group. Present species perhaps links the two genera.