White-cheeked Starling

Spodiopsar cineraceus

Family: Rhabdornis, Starlings, and Mynas · Status: Vagrant · Size: 22–24 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds across eastern Russia, northeastern China, Korea, and Japan; non-breeding range includes southeastern China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam.

Identification

Grey starling with prominent white ear coverts, white forehead, and white rump. Male has glossy black forehead, crown, and nape; female is paler overall. Juvenile is browner. Pale belly and vent; bill and legs yellow to orange.

Habitat

Open areas including parks, cultivated land, open woodland, and pastures.

Behaviour

Gregarious at all times; forages mostly on the ground, using open-bill probing to extract prey from soil.