Rosy Starling

Pastor roseus

Family: Rhabdornis, Starlings, and Mynas · Status: Vagrant · Size: 21–24 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds across southeast Europe and Central Asia east to western Mongolia and northwestern China. Winters mainly in the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka.

Identification

Adult has black head and neck glossed purple, with pink body and blackish wings, tail, and vent; male has a well-developed erectile crest, female is duller with a shorter crest. Juvenile has sandy grey-brown upperparts, a paler pinkish-tinged rump (often visible in flight), buff underparts with dark-spotted throat, and a pale yellowish bill. First-winter shows dull black head with brown-tipped crown feathers and browner body than adult.

Habitat

Open country, parks, and gardens; may also use wooded areas.

Behaviour

Highly gregarious; forages in flocks, often with Common Myna and Asian Glossy Starling.