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| − | [[Image:95331712 w8dqrJxx IMG 299.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Ayuwat+J|Ayuwat | + | [[Image:95331712 w8dqrJxx IMG 299.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Adult male<br />Photo © by {{user|Ayuwat+J|Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok}}<br />Beppu Park, Beppu, Oita, [[Japan]] 17 April 2008]] |
'''Alternative names: Gray Starling, Grey Starling, Ashy Starling''' | '''Alternative names: Gray Starling, Grey Starling, Ashy Starling''' | ||
;[[:Category:Spodiopsar|Spodiopsar]] cineraceus | ;[[:Category:Spodiopsar|Spodiopsar]] cineraceus | ||
''Poliopsar cineraceus; Sturnus cineraceus'' | ''Poliopsar cineraceus; Sturnus cineraceus'' | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:White-cheekedStarlingIMG 7305.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Adult female<br /> Photo © by {{user|jmorlan|Joseph Morlan}}<br />Yokohama Park, Yokohama, [[Japan]], 3 May 2017]] |
22cm (9.5"). A medium-sized, brownish-grey starling. | 22cm (9.5"). A medium-sized, brownish-grey starling. | ||
* Head and throat black with white grizzling, the latter concentrated in white cheek patches | * Head and throat black with white grizzling, the latter concentrated in white cheek patches | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
* Tail blackish-grey, with white tips on outer feathers | * Tail blackish-grey, with white tips on outer feathers | ||
* Bill yellow with a black tip, feet orange | * Bill yellow with a black tip, feet orange | ||
| + | * Elongated throat and nape feathers often give this bird a disheveled appearance. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Sexes similar. Females are more uniformly grey-brown lacking the contrasting black throat and chest. Juvenile has grey head with more extensive white cheeks and throat. | ||
| − | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | |||
Breeds in southeast [[Siberia]], [[Mongolia]], northern [[China]], [[Korea]], southern Sakhalin and [[Japan]].<br /> | Breeds in southeast [[Siberia]], [[Mongolia]], northern [[China]], [[Korea]], southern Sakhalin and [[Japan]].<br /> | ||
Parts of the population winter in southern [[China]] (including Hainan) and [[Taiwan]]. Recorded as vagrant in [[Burma]], [[Thailand]] and the [[Philippines]].<br /> | Parts of the population winter in southern [[China]] (including Hainan) and [[Taiwan]]. Recorded as vagrant in [[Burma]], [[Thailand]] and the [[Philippines]].<br /> | ||
Common to very common in most of its range. | Common to very common in most of its range. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species. | + | [[Image:IMG 2458.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo © by {{user|Ayuwat+J|Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok}}<br />Beppu Park, Beppu, Oita, [[Japan]], 20 April 2010]] |
| − | + | This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species. This species and the [[Red-billed Starling]] of China have been moved from ''[[:Category:Sturnus|Sturnus]]'' into the genus ''[[:Category:Spodiopsar|Spodiopsar]].'' based on molecular findings by Loveette et al. and Zuccon ''et al.''<sup>[[#References|[4]]][[#References|[5]]]</sup> Sometimes placed in the genus ''[[:Category:Poliopsar|Poliopsar]].'' <br /> | |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Prefers open country and cultivated areas with scattered trees. | Prefers open country and cultivated areas with scattered trees. | ||
| Line 29: | Line 30: | ||
Forages in flocks, feeding largely on the ground. | Forages in flocks, feeding largely on the ground. | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | Breeding season from April to July. A [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monogamous]] species, nesting in colonies of up to 30 pairs. The untidy nest is placed in a tree hole, under house eaves or in nestboxes. In [[Mongolia]] also known to excavate its own hole in a sandy steep riverbank. Lays 2 - 10 eggs. Interspecific brood parasitism occurs, the females laying their eggs in nests of [[Purple-backed Starling]]s. | + | [[Image:Flock of white-cheeked starlings.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo © by {{user|katastrofa|katastrofa}}<br />Kozunomorikinrin Park, Narita, [[Japan]], 21 March 2018 <!--EDITORS: this was the only flight image at time of editing, can be replaced when/if a better picture comes in-->]] |
| + | Breeding season from April to July. A [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monogamous]] species, nesting in colonies of up to 30 pairs. The untidy nest is placed in a tree hole, under house eaves or in nestboxes. In [[Mongolia]] also known to excavate its own hole in a sandy steep riverbank. Lays 2 - 10 eggs. Interspecific brood parasitism occurs, the females laying their eggs in nests of [[Purple-backed Starling]]s. Existing eggs are not removed resulting in some very large clutches. | ||
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
Call: A creaky ''chir-chir-chay-cheet-cheet''. | Call: A creaky ''chir-chir-chay-cheet-cheet''. | ||
| Line 35: | Line 37: | ||
Most populations migratory, resident in [[Japan]]. | Most populations migratory, resident in [[Japan]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug18}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}#Craig, A. & Feare, C. (2017). White-cheeked Starling (''Spodiopsar cineraceus''). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/60854 on 3 June 2017). |
| + | #Lovette, I.J., B.V. McCleery, A.L. Talaba & D.R. Rubenstein. (2008). A complete species-level molecular phylogeny for the Eurasian starlings (Sturnidae: ''Sturnus, Acridotheres,'' and allies): recent diversification in a highly social and dispersive avian group. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 47:251-260. | ||
| + | #Zuccon, D., E. Pasquet & P.G.P. Ericson. (2008). Phylogenetic relationships among Palearctic-Oriental starlings and mynas (genera ''Sturnus'' and ''Acridotheres'': Sturnidae). Zoologica Scripta 37:469-481. | ||
{{Ref}} | {{Ref}} | ||
| + | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Starling+cineraceus}} | {{GSearch|Starling+cineraceus}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Spodiopsar]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Spodiopsar]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:19, 30 January 2019
Alternative names: Gray Starling, Grey Starling, Ashy Starling
- Spodiopsar cineraceus
Poliopsar cineraceus; Sturnus cineraceus
Identification
22cm (9.5"). A medium-sized, brownish-grey starling.
- Head and throat black with white grizzling, the latter concentrated in white cheek patches
- Back, lower breast and belly dark grey
- Wings dark grey with blackish primaries, a narrow white wing-bar on secondaries
- Vent and rump white, the latter noticeable in flight
- Tail blackish-grey, with white tips on outer feathers
- Bill yellow with a black tip, feet orange
- Elongated throat and nape feathers often give this bird a disheveled appearance.
Sexes similar. Females are more uniformly grey-brown lacking the contrasting black throat and chest. Juvenile has grey head with more extensive white cheeks and throat.
Distribution
Breeds in southeast Siberia, Mongolia, northern China, Korea, southern Sakhalin and Japan.
Parts of the population winter in southern China (including Hainan) and Taiwan. Recorded as vagrant in Burma, Thailand and the Philippines.
Common to very common in most of its range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species. This species and the Red-billed Starling of China have been moved from Sturnus into the genus Spodiopsar. based on molecular findings by Loveette et al. and Zuccon et al.[4][5] Sometimes placed in the genus Poliopsar.
Habitat
Prefers open country and cultivated areas with scattered trees.
Behaviour
Diet
Omnivorous, feeds mainly on invertebrates and insects.
Forages in flocks, feeding largely on the ground.
Breeding
Breeding season from April to July. A monogamous species, nesting in colonies of up to 30 pairs. The untidy nest is placed in a tree hole, under house eaves or in nestboxes. In Mongolia also known to excavate its own hole in a sandy steep riverbank. Lays 2 - 10 eggs. Interspecific brood parasitism occurs, the females laying their eggs in nests of Purple-backed Starlings. Existing eggs are not removed resulting in some very large clutches.
Vocalisation
Call: A creaky chir-chir-chay-cheet-cheet.
Movements
Most populations migratory, resident in Japan.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- 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
- Craig, A. & Feare, C. (2017). White-cheeked Starling (Spodiopsar cineraceus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/60854 on 3 June 2017).
- Lovette, I.J., B.V. McCleery, A.L. Talaba & D.R. Rubenstein. (2008). A complete species-level molecular phylogeny for the Eurasian starlings (Sturnidae: Sturnus, Acridotheres, and allies): recent diversification in a highly social and dispersive avian group. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 47:251-260.
- Zuccon, D., E. Pasquet & P.G.P. Ericson. (2008). Phylogenetic relationships among Palearctic-Oriental starlings and mynas (genera Sturnus and Acridotheres: Sturnidae). Zoologica Scripta 37:469-481.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) White-cheeked Starling. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 11 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-cheeked_Starling
