Daurian Starling
Agropsar sturninus
Small, strongly migratory starling; common on its wintering grounds, but localized when breeding, and often difficult to find when on migration. Male dark above, white below, but intricately patterned, with shades of violet, green, and orange in wings. Female has similar general pattern but brown above, grayish below. Prefers open areas between forests and meadows but feeds in open agricultural fields as well, often gathering in immense flocks.
Identification
The Daurian starling is distinguished from other starling species by its dark mantle and crown and narrow wing bars.
Taxonomy
The Daurian starling was previously placed in the genus Sturnus. It was moved to the resurrected genus Agropsar based on the results of two molecular phylogenetic studies that were published in 2008.
- Scientific name
- Agropsar sturninus
- Authority
- (Pallas, 1776)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Agropsar
Range and habitat
The natural habitats of the Daurian starling are boreal forests and temperate forests.
- Breeding range
- PAL : e Mongolia and se Russia to North Korea and c China
- Non-breeding range
- se Asia
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Tiny Madeira endemic, essentially identical to Common Firecrest. Smaller than a warbler, with a distinctive combination of boldly striped head, white wingbars, and bronzy-golden patch on each side of the neck. Male has a fiery orange crown stripe, while the female has a yellow one. Juvenile lacks the adults’ striking head pattern and has a faint dark eyeline and wingbars. Resides in laurel and tree-heath forests, as well as mixed forest. Inconspicuous but active, often high in the canopy, giving high-pitched lisping vocalizations.
Common Snipe
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Squat, cryptically-plumaged shorebird with a very long bill. Inhabits a wide range of wetland habitats, from damp meadows to saltmarshes. Mostly inconspicuous, feeding in muddy ground by probing with its bill, usually near reeds or other grassy cover. Often not seen until flushed, when it usually rises from fairly close range with a rough rasping call. Breeding birds are more conspicuous, perching on fence posts. In display flight, birds stoop from high overhead and produce a pulsating, bleating sound from air passing through their fanned tail. In Asia, beware of extremely similar Pin-tailed, Swinhoe's, and Latham's Snipes, all of which lack the white trailing edge of Common and have a slower, less erratic flight.
Red-rumped Cacique
Cacicus haemorrhous
Large cacique with a long, slender ivory bill. Found in the canopy of humid forests and may make migratory movements tracking the rains. Entirely black apart from a red rump that may be hard to see when perched. Note the blue eyes. Nests in colonies and builds large pendulous nests. The song is variable, including loud whistles and a harsh “kak-kak-kak” alarm call.
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