From Opus

Photo by Birte
South-east Asia

Alternative names: Black-winged Myna; White-breasted Starling

Acridotheres melanopterus

Sturnus melanopterus

[edit] Identification

23cm. A small Starling with a striking black-and-white plumage:

• White plumage
• nominate with white mantle and upperparts, tricolor with grey back and black upperwing-coverts, tertius with grey mantle to uppertail-coverts and black upperwing-coverts
• Black wings with white wing patch
• Black tail with white tips
• Bare yellow skin around eye
• Yellowish-orange bill, horn legs and feet

Sexes similar. Juveniles are grey from crown to back.

[edit] Distribution

Found in Indonesia in the lowlands of Java, Bali and Lombok (where status unclear, only few records known).
The nominate race has been introduced in Singapore.
A rare and local species.

[edit] Taxonomy

Three subspecies recognized:

• A. m. melanopterus on Java (expect southeast) and Madura Island
• A. m. tricolor in southeast Java
• A. m. tertius on Bali, Nusa Penida and Lombok

Some authorities treat this species as monotypic^[1].
Often placed in genus Sturnus.
May form a superspecies with Vinous-breasted Starling.

[edit] Habitat

Dry and rainforests, shrubland, and pastures and grassland at low elevations. Occurs up to 1300m, occasionally recorded higher.

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on fruit, nectar and insects.
Forages in pairs or small flocks in trees and on the ground.
Forms roosts in tall trees, sometimes associated with Bali Myna.
Breeding season in January and from March to May in Java, February (and partly also June) in Bali. Presumed to be monogamous. The nest is placed in a rock hole or a tree hole. Lays 3 - 4 eggs.
A resident species.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
2. 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
3. BirdLife International

• List of references

[edit] External Links