Asian Glossy Starling

Aplonis panayensis

Malay name: Perling-Kilat Asia · Chinese name: 亚洲辉椋鸟 · Also known as: Philippines Glossy Starling (old)

Family: Rhabdornis, Starlings, and Mynas · Status: Very common resident · Size: 22–25 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Occurs from northeast India and Bangladesh along the coast of Myanmar to southern Thailand, the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, northern Sulawesi, and the Philippines.

Identification

Adults have dark green plumage overall, black bill and legs, and red eyes. Juveniles have dull grey-brown upperparts and white underparts with bold dark streaks.

Habitat

Forest and forest edges, secondary growth, mangroves, parks, gardens, urban areas with trees.

Behaviour

Feeds primarily on fruit, also insects and nectar. Highly gregarious; communal roosts can hold thousands of birds.