Formosan Blue Magpie, a protected bird species native to Taiwan. Violators will face jail terms plus stiff fines. Officials at the city's Department of Economic Development gave the warning after receiving reports of people hunting these birds.
The Formosan Blue Magpie (Urocissa caerulea), also known as the Taiwan Blue Magpie or Taiwan lan que in Mandarin, has been designated "the official bird of the capital city." It is also the leading contender in an online campaign aimed at selecting Taiwan's national bird, the officials said.
The birds are not endangered and can be spotted on several mountains in Taipei, including Yangmingshan (Mt. Sunshine), Chishinshan (Mt. Seven Stars), and Shishoushan (Mt. Four Animals).
But their population will decrease if they are hunted and their habitats are damaged, the officials said.
Catching such birds breaks the rules of the Wildlife Conservation Act, the officials said, and violators could face a sentence of up to five years in jail and are liable to an extra fine ranging from NT$200,000 to NT$1 million.
The Formosan Blue Magpie is a member of the crow family. It is an endemic species living in the mountains of Taiwan at elevations of 300 to 1,200 meters.
The bird is about the same size as the European Magpie, but with a longer tail. The head, neck and breast are black, while the rest of the bird's plumage ranges from a rich dark blue to purple in color. It has white markings on the wings and the tail. The bill, feet and legs are red, and the iris is yellowish.
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