Hartlaubius auratus
The Madagascar Starling, *Hartlaubius auratus*, is a striking medium-sized passerine, measuring about 20 cm (7.9 inches) in length and weighing 55-65 grams. It displays a captivating iridescent, glossy bronze-green plumage across its upperparts, head, and throat, which shimmers with golden or coppery hues under sunlight. This brilliance contrasts sharply with its vibrant, unblemished yellow underparts, from breast to vent, while its wings and tail are dark brown to black. A dark eye, stout da...
This starling inhabits a variety of wooded environments, including moist evergreen and dry deciduous forest edges, secondary woodlands, savannas with scattered trees, cultivated areas, and gardens, from sea level up to 2000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming a wide range of invertebrates, but also supplements its diet with fruits, berries, and occasionally nectar, foraging by gleaning and probing.
Madagascar Starlings are diurnal, typically foraging during the day and roosting communally in trees at night. They are adept at arboreal foraging, gleaning insects from leaves and bark in the canopy and mid-story, but also descend to the ground to probe for invertebrates in leaf litter. These bi...
The Madagascar Starling is exclusively endemic to the island of Madagascar, where it is a widespread and resident species, exhibiting no significant migratory movements. Its distribution encompasses most of the island's forested and wooded regions, spanning from coastal lowlands to the central hi...
Least Concern
- The Madagascar Starling is the only species in its genus, *Hartlaubius*, making it a truly unique lineage among all starlings globally. - Endemic to Madagascar, it is found nowhere else on Earth, highlighting its evolutionary isolation. - Despite its vibrant, iridescent plumage, males and femal...