Daurian Starling

Agropsar sturninus

Family: Rhabdornis, Starlings, and Mynas · Status: Common migrant · Size: 17–19 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds in eastern Mongolia, southeastern Russia, northeastern and central China, and North Korea, wintering to Southeast Asia.

Identification

Male has pale greyish head and underparts, glossy dark purplish nape-patch and upperparts, glossy dark upperwings with two whitish wingbars, and black tail. Female and juvenile resemble the male but the glossy dark plumage is replaced with brown.

Habitat

Forest, wooded areas, gardens, parks, and open and coastal habitats.

Behaviour

Highly gregarious; can form flocks of up to a thousand birds on passage.