From Opus

Photo by Neil Fifer
Location: Hong Kong

Acridotheres cristatellus

[edit] Identification

Medium large, with frontal crest, sexes similar. Largely black; basal half of primaries white showing large white patch in flight; tail and undertail coverts tipped white. Bill olive yellow to yellow; reddish at base of lower mandible; eye brown to dull yellow; legs yellow to yellow orange.

[edit] Distribution

China, Taiwan, and SE Asia; introduced into Borneo and the Philippines.

Also introduced in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are 3 subspecies.

[edit] Habitat

Urban areas.

[edit] Behaviour

It is a colony nester which nests in cavities which the bird fills with sticks and vegetation. 4-7 glossy green blue eggs are laid and incubated by both sexes for 14 days; the young fledge 21 days later.

The diet includes insects, fruit, grains, eggs and young birds.

[edit] Vocalisation

Call varied and can imitate other species and sounds.

[edit] References

Whatbird

[edit] External Links