Tanimbar Starling
Aplonis crassa
A uniformly blackish starling with a medium-length square tail and a dark eye. Juveniles browner, with streaking below and a rufous-tinged tail. Occurs in the canopy of forest edges, wooded areas, and mangroves, where it is usually encountered in pairs or small groups. Confined to the Tanimbar Islands. Noticeably shorter-tailed than Metallic Starling, with less colorful plumage gloss and a dark eye. Calls include a harsh, metallic “brrrrrit” and a disyllabic “tzewit.”
Identification
The Tanimbar starling (Aplonis crassa) is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is endemic to Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Taxonomy
Genus: Aplonis; Family: Sturnidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Aplonis crassa
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1883)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Aplonis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Black Scoter
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Plump diving duck, typically seen in flocks in coastal areas. Males are completely black with bright orange knob on the bill. Females are brown overall with pale cheek and contrasting dark cap. Note potbellied shape and rounded head in flight. Typically coastal, but migrates over land especially in the Northeast U.S. Often gathers in tight flocks. Dives frequently, feeding on aquatic invertebrates. Breeds on ponds in Arctic tundra.
Spot-breasted Lapwing
Vanellus melanocephalus
A chunky lapwing of the Ethiopian highlands. Note the black cap, white eyebrow, black throat, and coarse spots across the breast. Found in both wet and dry montane habitats, including grassland, moorland, and marsh. Often in flocks, which can be large. In flight, looks similar to other lapwings, but easily separated by details of the head and breast pattern. The call is a rough “shrek,” often repeated.
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