Taiwan Blue Magpie Seen Eating Snake on Road in Taitung, Rare Footage Captured by Local Resident
A Taitung resident captured rare footage of a Taiwan Blue Magpie subduing and eating a 'Over-the-mountain Knife' snake on a road. While Taiwan Blue Magpies are omnivorous and known to prey on small animals, such an observation is uncommon. The Taitung County Government's Department of Agriculture advises the public to maintain proper distance when observing wildlife, especially as snake sightings increase due to rising temperatures.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 15:34
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 16:01 (27 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 16:09 (7 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lu Tai-cheng, Taitung County, 30th) A Taitung resident, surnamed Wen, encountered a Taiwan Blue Magpie subduing and pecking at an 'Over-the-mountain Knife' snake on an external road of Anshuo Village in Daren Township yesterday afternoon. He quickly used his mobile phone to record the rare scene, calling himself very lucky.
Mr. Wen told a Central News Agency reporter today that yesterday afternoon, he was on his way to Anshuo Village when he saw a Blue Magpie hopping on the road. Upon closer inspection, he found the Blue Magpie stepping on an 'Over-the-mountain Knife' snake and pecking at the upper part of its body. The snake was not yet dead, its tail still shaking, but it was unable to escape the Blue Magpie's feet.
Mr. Wen stated that he quickly pulled out his phone to record this rare ecological scene. He usually sees Taiwan Blue Magpies in that road section, but mostly in trees. He felt very lucky to encounter it on the road this time and see it feeding 'unconsciously' at close range.
Li Zhi-peng, chief of the Forestry Conservation Section at the Taitung County Government's Department of Agriculture, stated that Taiwan Blue Magpies are omnivorous birds. Besides feeding on fruits and insects, they also prey on small animals, including lizards, frogs, and even small snakes. Although observing them preying on 'Over-the-mountain Knife' snakes is uncommon, it is still a normal predatory behavior in the natural world.
Li Zhi-peng added that with recent rising temperatures, the frequency of snake appearances has increased. He reminded the public to be more vigilant about their surroundings when going outdoors to avoid accidentally touching or disturbing wild animals. He also urged the public, if they encounter animals preying or active in the wild, to observe from an appropriate distance and jointly maintain the natural ecology. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150430
Choose to stand with the facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
(Central News Agency reporter Lu Tai-cheng, Taitung County, 30th) A Taitung resident, surnamed Wen, encountered a Taiwan Blue Magpie subduing and pecking at an 'Over-the-mountain Knife' snake on an external road of Anshuo Village in Daren Township yesterday afternoon. He quickly used his mobile phone to record the rare scene, calling himself very lucky.
Mr. Wen told a Central News Agency reporter today that yesterday afternoon, he was on his way to Anshuo Village when he saw a Blue Magpie hopping on the road. Upon closer inspection, he found the Blue Magpie stepping on an 'Over-the-mountain Knife' snake and pecking at the upper part of its body. The snake was not yet dead, its tail still shaking, but it was unable to escape the Blue Magpie's feet.
Mr. Wen stated that he quickly pulled out his phone to record this rare ecological scene. He usually sees Taiwan Blue Magpies in that road section, but mostly in trees. He felt very lucky to encounter it on the road this time and see it feeding 'unconsciously' at close range.
Li Zhi-peng, chief of the Forestry Conservation Section at the Taitung County Government's Department of Agriculture, stated that Taiwan Blue Magpies are omnivorous birds. Besides feeding on fruits and insects, they also prey on small animals, including lizards, frogs, and even small snakes. Although observing them preying on 'Over-the-mountain Knife' snakes is uncommon, it is still a normal predatory behavior in the natural world.
Li Zhi-peng added that with recent rising temperatures, the frequency of snake appearances has increased. He reminded the public to be more vigilant about their surroundings when going outdoors to avoid accidentally touching or disturbing wild animals. He also urged the public, if they encounter animals preying or active in the wild, to observe from an appropriate distance and jointly maintain the natural ecology. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150430
Choose to stand with the facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.