Metallic starling
| Metallic starling | |
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| At Cairns, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | A. metallica
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| Binomial name | |
| Aplonis metallica (Temminck, 1824)
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The metallic starling (Aplonis metallica), also known as shining starling, is a bird in the starling family. It is native of New Guinea and nearby Australasian islands, and a limited area of northeastern Australia.
Description
The adult has brilliant red eyes, a long tail and green-glossed black plumage. Immatures are pale below with dark streaks.
Behaviour
They migrate during August[2] to the northern regions of Queensland, where they mate, preparing messy globular nests for their young which hang from tall trees.[3] There they remain until April,[2] whereupon they make their return journey to New Guinea.
Gallery
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Juveniles, Cairns Esplanade, N Qld -
Female with nest - Cairns -
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Feeding on Ptychosperma elegans fruit in Cairns
References
- ^ Template:IUCN
- ^ a b Banfield, E.J. "Alike in Difference." Emu. Vol. 17, No. 4, 212-214. 1917. Accessed 2009-05-25.
- ^ "Plants and Animals in the Wet tropics." Wet Tropics Management Authority. Accessed 2009-05-25.
External links
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