Daurian Starling

Scientific Name: Agropsar sturninus
Alternative Name: Purple-backed Starling
Malay Name: Perling Ubun Ungu
Chinese Name: 北椋鸟

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

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

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:

Daurian Starling. Photo credit: Henry Koh

Daurian Starling. Photo credit: Myron Tay

Daurian Starling at Pasir Ris Farmway 3. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Daurian Starling at Paunggol Barat. The one on the right has been dyed yellow. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Daurian Starling at Kranji Marsh. Photo credit: Francis Yap

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page (BirdLife: Sturnus sturninus)
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

Reference:
Craig Robson (2011) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia
David Wells (2007) The Birds of Thai-Malay Peninsula, Volume 2
Stanton & Leven (2014) Abnormal colours of east Asian starlings: a mystery solved? BirdingAsia 22, 101-104