Daurian Starling

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: Asian Glossy Starling, Chestnut-cheeked Starling, White-shouldered 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.

Featured articles:

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

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 1 January 2023

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.