Socotra Starling
Onychognathus frater
Large, glossy black starling with a strong bill. The tail is moderately long, and squared off. There are large red panels in the wing, which are conspicuous in flight. Unlike most “red-winged” starlings, sexes are alike. Often found around cliffs and other rocky areas, where it roosts and nests. Feeds in dry woodland. Gives scratchy calls and more musical whistles. Similar to male Somali Starling, but has a much shorter and less pointed tail. Easily distinguished from the gray-hooded female Somali Starling.
Identification
The Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater) is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is endemic to Socotra island, which is off the southeast coast of Yemen. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and rural gardens. The Socotra starling builds its nests in the hollow branches of Socotra's dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari). In addition to feeding on grasshoppers and figs, the bird also eats the berries of the dragon blood tree and helps disperse the tree's seeds.
Taxonomy
Genus: Onychognathus; Family: Sturnidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Onychognathus frater
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL & Hartlaub, 1881)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Onychognathus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Ensifera ensifera
Unmistakable. This ridiculous hummingbird has the longest bill in relation to its body size of any bird in the world. In addition to the striking bill, look for the overall muted green body color with a bronzy head. Found in the temperate zone of the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia, from around 2,500m to 3,500m. Occurs in montane forest and edges, where it uses its bill to feed from long tubular flowers. Visits feeders.
Hooded Grosbeak
Hesperiphona abeillei
Handsome, chunky finch of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forest in foothills and highlands. Usually in pairs or small groups, feeding on fruit in canopy or seen in flight high overhead, when best detected and identified by call. Note the stout, pale greenish-yellow bill and contrasting black wings with a big white to pale gray panel. Male has black hood and yellow body. Female has black cap and dingy pale underparts.
Wailing Cisticola
Cisticola lais
Medium-sized, streak-backed cisticola of uplands. Shows a rufous cap and rufous in the wing. Varies geographically in overall coloration, boldness of streaking on the back, and other traits. Found in grassland and savanna on rocky slopes with a mix of bushes, grass, and often aloes. Generally inconspicuous; seen singly or in pairs. Vocalizations include a short, explosive, accelerating trill, and rising wails. Very similar to Red-headed Cisticola, but has a different voice, a larger bill, more buffy underparts, and shows rufous in the wing. Also similar to Rattling Cisticola, but has more rufous in the face and a longer tail. As with all cisticolas, habitat and voice are important cues in identification.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.