- Aplonis zelandica
Alternative names: Rufous-winged Starling; New Hebrides Starling
Identification
19cm. A small, dull-plumaged Starling.
- Dark brown forehad, crown and nape
- Brown mantle and back with greenish gloss in fresh plumage
- Tawny rump and uppertail-coverts
- Dark brown wing with chestnut patch
- Brown tail
- Buff chin and throat and rest of underparts with grey-brown flanks
- Pale brown iris
- Black bill
- Light brown legs
Females are smaller and paler. Juvenile undescribed.
Distribution
Santa Cruz Islands (Solomon Islands) and Vanuatu.
Uncommon to scarce restricte-range species. Poorly known.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies recognized:
- A. z. zelandica on Vanikoro, southern Santa Cruz Islands
- A. z. rufipennis on Banks Islands and north and central Vanuatu
- A. z. maxwellii on Nedo (Santa Cruz)
Habitat
Forest, montane forest, secondary growth and wooded gardens.
Behaviour
Feeds on fruit, takes also insects.
Usually seen singly or in pairs.
Nests in tree holes.
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) Rusty-winged Starling. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Rusty-winged_Starling
