Chestnut-cheeked Starling

Agropsar philippensis

Family: Rhabdornis, Starlings, and Mynas · Status: Vagrant · Size: 16.5–17 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds from Sakhalin to northern Japan, wintering to southern Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore.

Identification

Male resembles Daurian Starling but has a diagnostic chestnut patch on the ear-coverts and neck-side. Female lacks the chestnut patch and is difficult to separate from female Daurian Starling; in flight, female Chestnut-cheeked Starling lacks whitish tips to the scapulars, greater coverts, and tertials.

Habitat

Wooded areas and open habitats.

Behaviour

Feeds on insects and fruits.