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Rosy Starling - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 17:22, 25 March 2008 by Kits (talk | contribs)
Sturnus roseus

AKA Rose-coloured Starling

Photo by john-henry
Location: Lesvos
Photo by jandok
Location: Lauwersmeer - Netherlands

Identification

Pink body, pale orange legs and bill, black head, wings and tail. Males in the breeding season have elongated head feathers forming a wispy crest that is fluffed and more prominent when the bird gets excited. Females have a short crest and are duller overall. A photo is included of a first-year bird, the type that most often occur as vagrants in western Europe.

Distribution

Eastern Europe, Asia and India. Vagrants to western Europe.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species which is sometimes placed in the genus Pastor.

Habitat

Steppe and open agricultural land.

Behaviour

Its diet includes grasshoppers and other insects.

Bird Song

<flashmp3>Sturnus roseus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

External Links

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