- Aplonis mystacea
Identification
18cm (7 in). A medium-sized Starling with a rather long, graduated tail.
- Mostly black plumage, glossed purple on head and mantle, emerald-green on wing-coverts and rump and bronzy green on breast, belly and flanks
- Pale yellow eye
- Erectile crest formed by bristly forehead feathers
- Feathers of crown, nape, throat and upper breast elongated and lanceolate
- Black bill and legs
Sexes similar, juveniles undescribed.
Similar species
Close resemblance to Metallic Starling.
Distribution
Found discontinuously in western and south-central New Guinea.
Poorly known species.
Taxonomy
A monotypic species.
Habitat
Found mostly in riverine or alluvial forest in the lowlands. Recorded up to 300m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds presumably on fruit.
Usually seen in small groups, sometimes in bigger flocks. Often together with Metallic Starling.
Breeding
A colonial breeder. One known colony contained 150 nest. They were globular structures, suspended from branches.
Movements
Presumed to be a resident species, possibly nomadic.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. 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
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Yellow-eyed Starling. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Yellow-eyed_Starling
