Vinous-breasted Myna
Acridotheres leucocephalus
Medium-sized starling of forest edge, agricultural fields, and open scrubby or grassy areas. Thin black bandit’s mask, dull grayish-pink chest, pale iris and plain yellow bill. Slightly buff rump, tail tip, and flashing white wing patches are most prominent in flight. Like many other starlings, typically encountered in pairs and flocks. Similar to Chestnut-tailed Starling, but Vinous-breasted has a mask and pale rump. Gives loud grating calls and chattering calls when foraging. Native to southeast Asia, but introduced on Taiwan and in Israel.
Identification
It has a yellowish bill and grey upperparts.
Taxonomy
Genus: Acridotheres; Family: Sturnidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Acridotheres leucocephalus
- Authority
- Giglioli & Salvadori, 1870
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Acridotheres
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: rising.
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Scrub Euphonia
Euphonia affinis
Tiny finch of tropical lowlands and foothills, especially in drier areas. Occurs from eastern Mexico to Costa Rica, where it is found in open woodland, forest edge, and clearings with trees. Usually in pairs, sometimes small groups that associate readily with other euphonias, especially when feeding at mistletoe. Male has black head and throat with yellow forehead patch; female rather drab, but lacks vested appearance of female Yellow-throated Euphonia, which is slightly larger.
Chinspot Batis
Batis molitor
A cute, dumpy, colorful flycatcher-like bird lacking chestnut in the wings. Sexes differ: the male has a broad black chest band and a white throat; the female has a chestnut band and a large chestnut throat spot that gives the species its name. The Chinspot Batis is common in savanna, broadleaf woodland, and edges of montane forest, where it can be found solitarily or in pairs, often joining mixed-species flocks. It flits actively between trees, gleaning and hawking insects. Gives a characteristic downslurred three-note “three-blind-mice” call, which is occasionally accompanied by clicking and bill-snapping.
Temminck's Courser
Cursorius temminckii
Elegant, long-legged, upland shorebird. Note the rufous crown and black patch on the belly. Shows a completely black wing in flight. Found in very open areas such as short grassland, semi-desert, and overgrazed and recently burned areas. Usually seen in pairs or family groups. Like all coursers, ducks the head and runs across the ground at great speed. Call is a mournful, off-key, up-and-down series. All-rufous crown, black belly patch, and all-black wing are not shown by the area’s other coursers.
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