Asian Glossy Starling

Scientific Name: Aplonis panayensis
Malay Name: Perling-Kilat Asia
Chinese Name: 亚洲辉椋鸟
Alternative Name(s): Philippines Glossy Starling (old)

Range:
Found from Northeast India, Bangladesh, along the coast of Myanmar to South Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Borneo, Indonesia to the Philippines.

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: affinis, tytleri, albiris, strigata, altirostris, nesodramus, pachistorhina, enganensis, heterochlora, eustathis, alipodis, gusti, sanghirensis, panayensis.

Local Subspecies: strigata

Size: 22-25 cm

Identification:
Adults have overall glossy blackish-green plumage, black bill and legs, and diagnostic red eyes. Juveniles have greyish-brown upperparts and dull buffish-white underparts with bold dark streaks.

Similar looking species: Daurian Starling, White-shouldered Starling

Habitat: Forest, wooded areas, mangroves, parks and gardens.

Behaviour/Ecology: Feeds on insects and fruits. Gregarious when foraging and may form big flocks at roosting sites.

Local Status: Common resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Throughout Singapore.

Featured articles:

• What bird is this, and why? (Birding Starter Pack)
• Local extinctions of Singapore birds (Science)

Asian Glossy Starling at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Adult Asian Glossy Starling at Lorong Halus. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Asian Glossy Starling adult feeding juveniles at Dairy Farm. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Juvenile Asian Glossy Starling at Seletar. Photo credit: Con Foley