Scientific Name: Agropsar sturninus
Malay Name: Perling Ubun Ungu
Chinese Name: 北椋鸟
Alternative Name(s): Purple-backed Starling
Range:
Found from Eastern Mongolia, Southeast Russia, Northeast and Central China to North Korea, wintering to Southeast Asia.
Taxonomy:
Monotypic.
Size: 17-19 cm
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 look similar to male but glossy dark plumage replaced with brown.
Similar looking species: Chestnut-cheeked Starling, White-shouldered Starling, Asian Glossy Starling
Habitat: Forest, wooded areas, gardens, parks, open and coastal habitats.
Behaviour/Ecology: Highly gregarious. Can form huge flock of up to a thousand birds on passage.
Local Status: Common migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
Location: Suitable habitats throughout Singapore like Bidadari, Sungei Buloh, Seletar Mudflat, Punggol Barat, Lorong Halus, Changi, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Kent Ridge Park and Central Catchment Forest.
Photos:
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Daurian Starling)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Agropsar sturninus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22710870A94264888.en. Accessed on 19 December 2021
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
Stanton, D. J., & Leven, M. R. (2014). Abnormal colours of east Asian starlings: a mystery solved? BirdingASIA, 22, 101–104.
Wells, D. R. (1999). The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula (Vol. 1). Academic Press, London.