Siamese Pied Starling
Gracupica floweri
A striking black-and-white starling of muddy paddyfields and damp grazing lands. Seen in loose flocks, often close to human habitation. Black chest and upperparts, with white belly, rump, cheek and shoulder stripe. Note the pointed, yellowish bill with an orange base. Somewhat similar to Black-collared Starling, but smaller with an orange rather than yellow bare patch around its eye. Noisy with a variety of calls that includes mimicked sounds of other birds.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Gracupica floweri
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1897)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Gracupica
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Junin Grebe
Podiceps taczanowskii
Critically endangered grebe found only on Lake Junín in the high Andes of central Peru. Adults are gray and white with a ruby-red eye; young birds have a brownish tinge. Extremely similar to the far more common Silvery Grebe, but Junin Grebe is slightly larger with a longer bill, a skinnier neck, darker flanks, and a paler bill. These differences are more evident when both species are present, to allow for direct comparison. Not easily seen or identified from the lakeshore; a boat is usually needed for close-up views.
Blanford's Snowfinch
Pyrgilauda blanfordi
Like many other snowfinches, the Blanford’s is found in open areas on high-altitude steppes and hills, but generally prefers drier areas than other species. Predominantly white and brown with a black crescent curving around the front of the face and a pale orange one curving around the back, giving the bird a somewhat round-cheeked appearance. Often quite tame, taking scraps from hikers, monks, and shepherds.
Red-backed Kingfisher
Todiramphus pyrrhopygius
Desert kingfisher with a strong black eye-line occurring across most of the drier parts of Australia. Note grayish streaked crown (blue/green in similar Sacred Kingfisher). Upper-wing is entirely blue in flight. Seen well, the rusty rump is obvious. Perches on high dead trees or powerlines. Excavates tunnel nests in earth-walls and banks.
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