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Asian Glossy Starling (juveniles)

Aplonis panayensis

Description:

The Asian Glossy Starling often appears black, but the conspicuous bright red eyes light up the glossy plumage of this beautiful bird. Both sexes are similar. The adult has black plumage with greenish gloss overall, except on vent which is matt black. On the head, we can see a small black mask on the lores and around the eye. Nape and neck exhibit more elongated feathers which are fluffed up according to the situation and the mood of the bird. The strong bill, legs and feet are black. The eyes are bright red The juvenile has dark brown upperparts with weak green gloss on the upperwing. The underparts are whitish with dark streaks. The eyes are yellow, orange or pink. The colour changes little by little while the bird is growing up, as it gains the green gloss on its plumage.

Habitat:

The Asian Glossy Starling frequents forest, including edges and clearings, secondary growths, mangroves, coastal vegetation, gardens and plantations. It is usually seen from the lowlands up to 700 metres of elevation, but not higher. They often roost in urban areas. These roosts may contain up to 15, 000 birds and they often gather with Common Mynas and White-vented Mynas. The Asian Glossy Starling occurs in Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand

Notes:

There are 14 subspecies which slightly differ in size of both body and bill, intensity of the greenish gloss and colour of the eyes from whitish and pink to orange and red. The race displayed on this page is the subspecies Aplonis panayensis strigata from Singapore. This one is smaller than nominate. Its plumage shows rather bluish to blackish-green wash on the upperparts, and more greenish gloss below There are 14 subspecies which slightly differ in size of both body and bill, intensity of the greenish gloss and colour of the eyes from whitish and pink to orange and red. The race displayed on this page is the subspecies Aplonis panayensis strigata from Singapore. This one is smaller than nominate. Its plumage shows rather bluish to blackish-green wash on the upperparts, and more greenish gloss below There are 14 subspecies which slightly differ in size of both body and bill, intensity of the greenish gloss and colour of the eyes from whitish and pink to orange and red. The race displayed on this page is the subspecies Aplonis panayensis strigata from Singapore. This one is smaller than nominate. Its plumage shows rather bluish to blackish-green wash on the upperparts, and more greenish gloss below

1 Species ID Suggestions

KdonGalay
KdonGalay 11 years ago
Asian Glossy Starling · juvenile
Aplonis panayensis Asian Glossy Starling


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1 Comment

SusanEllison
SusanEllison 11 years ago

Thanks KdonGalay for the correct ID

SusanEllison
Spotted by
SusanEllison

Ipoh, Malaysia

Spotted on Nov 24, 2012
Submitted on Nov 26, 2012

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