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| − | {{ | + | [[Image:1617Micronesian Starling 3-1.JPG|thumb|550px|right|Adult<br />Photo by {{user|shykra|shykra}}<br />Guam, June 1999]] |
| − | [[Image:Micronesian_Starling.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by shykra]] | + | [[Image:Micronesian_Starling.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|shykra|shykra}}<br />Guam, June 1999]] |
;[[:Category:Aplonis|Aplonis]] opaca | ;[[:Category:Aplonis|Aplonis]] opaca | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | Juveniles have brown eyes | + | 24cm. A rather large starling with a short tail. |
| − | + | * Entirely black plumage with some green iridescence on head, mantle, back and wing-coverts | |
| + | * Yellow eye | ||
| + | * Black bill and legs | ||
| + | Sexes similar, females slightly smaller and duller. Juveniles have brown eyes and grey streaks on their breast. As they become older, their eyes turn golden and shiny black feathers start to grow. | ||
| + | <br /> | ||
| + | The different subspecies differ in bill size and colour of gloss. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Several islands in Micronesia in the southern Pacific.<br /> | Several islands in Micronesia in the southern Pacific.<br /> | ||
| Line 18: | Line 23: | ||
* ''A. o. opaca'' on Kosrae, extreme eastern Carolines | * ''A. o. opaca'' on Kosrae, extreme eastern Carolines | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | + | Forests and disturbed areas including villages. Occurs from sea-level up to mountain tops. | |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | They nest in hollowed out areas in coconut palms or other trees. Up to 4 greenish eggs are laid and incubated by both parents. | + | Feeds on fruits and seeds, takes also insects and eggs of different seabirds (like [[Black Noddy]] or [[Red-footed Booby]]). |
| − | + | Usually seen in small flocks. | |
| − | + | A [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monogamous]] species. They nest in hollowed out areas in coconut palms or other trees. Up to 4 greenish eggs are laid and incubated by both parents. | |
| − | + | Resident. | |
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec09}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}} | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Aplonis+opaca}} | {{GSearch|Aplonis+opaca}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Aplonis]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Aplonis]] | ||
Revision as of 17:19, 6 December 2010
- Aplonis opaca
Identification
24cm. A rather large starling with a short tail.
- Entirely black plumage with some green iridescence on head, mantle, back and wing-coverts
- Yellow eye
- Black bill and legs
Sexes similar, females slightly smaller and duller. Juveniles have brown eyes and grey streaks on their breast. As they become older, their eyes turn golden and shiny black feathers start to grow.
The different subspecies differ in bill size and colour of gloss.
Distribution
Several islands in Micronesia in the southern Pacific.
Common on most islands. Heavy decline on Guam due to the introduction of the Brown Tree-Snake.
Taxonomy
Seven subspecies recognized:
- A. o. aenea on the northern Northern Mariana Islands (Alamagan, Pagan, Agrihan, Asuncion)
- A. o. guami on the southern Northern Mariana Islands (Guam, Rota, Tinian, Saipan)
- A. o. orii on Palau Islands (Angaur, Ngabad, Peleliu, Ngesebus, Garakayo, Koror, Babelthuap, Kayangel)
- A. o. kurodai on Yap (extreme western Caroline Islands)
- A. o. anga on Caroline Islands (Nukuoro, Lukunor, Chuuk, Lamotrek, Ifalik, Woleai, Faraulep, Fais, Ulithi)
- A. o. ponapensis on Pohnpei (and Kapingamarangi Atoll) in eastern Carolines
- A. o. opaca on Kosrae, extreme eastern Carolines
Habitat
Forests and disturbed areas including villages. Occurs from sea-level up to mountain tops.
Behaviour
Feeds on fruits and seeds, takes also insects and eggs of different seabirds (like Black Noddy or Red-footed Booby). Usually seen in small flocks. A monogamous species. They nest in hollowed out areas in coconut palms or other trees. Up to 4 greenish eggs are laid and incubated by both parents. Resident.
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. (2024) Micronesian Starling. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 11 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Micronesian_Starling
