asirskjære Pica asirensis

A crow-like bird with a long, narrow tail. Flashy black-and-white pattern distinctive within range. An endangered species, this is a rare but conspicuous bird of juniper forest and riverine scrub between 2200–3000m in the Asir massif of southwestern Saudia Arabia, where it typically moves in pairs and small family groups. Very vocal, often giving loud querulous grating “kuaynk-kuaynk” calls and high-pitched woodpecker-like “keenk” notes. Does not overlap in range with Eurasian Magpie, but Asir has less white in the plumage, a larger bill, and a shorter tail.