White-shouldered Starling

Sturnia sinensis

Malay name: Perling Bahu Putih · Chinese name: 灰背椋鸟

Family: Rhabdornis, Starlings, and Mynas · Status: Uncommon migrant · Size: 18.5–20.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds in southeastern China, winters to Taiwan and Indochina. Resident in Hong Kong and northern Vietnam.

Identification

Mostly light grey bird with black wings and tail contrasting with a large white shoulder patch; white rump, uppertail-coverts and belly to vent; blue-grey bill and white iris. Female is greyer with a smaller white shoulder patch. Juvenilehas less distinct white shoulder patch. Compared with Daurian and Chestnut-cheeked Starling, has a larger white shoulder patch and white instead of black iris.

Habitat

Open areas with scattered trees.

Behaviour

Gregarious; associates with Asian Glossy and Daurian Starlings. Attracted to small-fruited banyan figs; also forages in crowns of casuarinas and on the ground.