Alternative names: Chinese Starling; Grey-backed Starling
- Sturnus sinensis
Sturnia sinensis
Identification
17cm. A rather small, greyish starling.
- Grey head with white on forehead and chin and buff around eye
- Silver-grey mantle and back
- Buffy ochre rump
- Dark brown to black wing with green gloss
- Large white shoulder patch formed by upperwing-coverts and scapulars
- Black tail with some gloss, with white or buff tips)
- Buffy grey breast
- Ochreous belly and undertail-coverts
- Blue-grey bill
- Silver or white eye
- Grey legs
Females are similar but generally greyer, have a paler rump and less contrast. Juveniles are browner than females and they have no white in the wings.
Similar species
Subspecies nemoricola of Chestnut-tailed Starling can be similar (especially to females) but note tail, bill tip and extend of white shoulder patch.
Distribution
Breeds in southeast China (including Hong Kong and Hainan) and northern Vietnam.
Migrates south and winters in Taiwan, southern Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and on the Malay Peninsula. Recorded in Japan.
A scarce to uncommon species.
China to Indochina and rarely Japan, wintering south and south-east of there.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species, which is sometimes placed in the genus Sturnia.
Habitat
Found in open country, cultivation, villages and towns. Occurs in the lowlands, in winter up to 400m.
Behaviour
Feeds on insects. A gregarious species, often in flocks. Associates with Asian Glossy Starling and Purple-backed Starling on the Malay Peninsula. Breeding season from March to June. Breeds in colonies, often associated with other species. The nest is placed in a tree hole, rock or a building. Lays 4 eggs.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- 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) White-shouldered Starling. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 1 November 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-shouldered_Starling
