- Aplonis magna
Identification
28 - 41cm (including tail). A large starling with a long tail.
- Black head and body with oily green gloss, bronze on head
- Blackish-brown remiges
- Dark brown tail as long or longer than body
- Bristly forehead feathers
- Brown eye
- Black bill and legs
- brevicauda is less glossy and has a shorter tail
Sexes similar. Juveniles undescribed.
Distribution
Found on islands in Geelvink Bay, northwest New Guinea, Indonesia.
Abundant in its tiny range.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies recognized:
- A. m. magna on Biak Island
- A. m. brevicauda on Numfor Island
Was formerly thought to form a superspecies with Metallic Starling.
Habitat
Forest, secondary woodland, forest edge and gardens.
Behaviour
Feeds on fruit.
Usually seen in pairs or small groups.
The nest is placed high up in a tree. No other information.
A resident species.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Long-tailed Starling. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Long-tailed_Starling
