#podoces biddulphi

[birdstudies]

November 25, 2019 - Xinjiang Ground-jay or Biddulph's Ground-jay (Podoces biddulphi)

Found only in the Taklamakan Desert in northwestern China, these jays inhabit scrub, sandy desert, and desert poplar. Foraging mostly on the ground, they feed on seeds, grains, and other plant foods, as well as small animals. They build compact bowl-shaped nests from twigs, rootlets, grass, dry leaves, hair, feathers, and soft plant fibers in shrubs or trees. They are classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN due to habitat degradation and fragmentation caused by livestock grazing, oil extraction, wood harvesting, and land conversion.

[ainawgsd]

The Biddulph's ground jay or Xinjiang ground jay (Podoces biddulphi) is a species of bird in the family Corvidae. It is endemic to China. It is not larger than an adult human's hand and has a brownish white coat of feathers.

Since 2004, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the jay's conservation status as "Near Threatened" due to habitat fragmentation and degradation.

The Xinjiang Ground-jay Podoces biddulphi is restricted to sandy desert, scrub and desert poplar in the Talikmakan Desert in Xinjiang, China. The species is classified as Near Threatened because it is believed to have a small population that may be declining because of degradation of desert habitats through the intensive grazing of goats and camels, extraction of fuelwood, and the conversion of large areas to irrigated land.

Xinjiang Ground-jays were recorded at 800–1,500 m. Birds were only found in areas of soft sand, mostly in areas with sparse vegetation cover in low areas between sand dunes. They were often seen around temporary car parks, garbage stations, road maintenance camps etc., presumably where food was easier to find. Birds appeared to be territorial and remained faithful to particular locations. 

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