From Opus

Alternative names: Gray Starling, Grey Starling, Ashy Starling.

Sturnus cineraceus

Photo by Marysan
Photo taken: Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand.

[edit] Identification

9.5" (24 cm.) Sexes similar. 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. Female a bit paler and duller coloured. Bill yellow with a black tip, feet orange. Juvenile head grey with white cheeks and throat.

[edit] Distribution

Siberia south through China and Japan to N Indochina, N Myanmar, and the Philippines. Breeds in N and E China and Japan, winters further south.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Prefers open country and cultivated areas with scattered trees.

[edit] Behaviour

Voice: A creaky chir-chir-chay-cheet-cheet.

Forages in flocks, feeding largely on the ground.

[edit] External Links