Aplonis cantoroides
The Singing Starling (Aplonis cantoroides) is a striking passerine bird, renowned for its glossy appearance and distinctive vocalizations. Averaging 17-20 cm in length and weighing 45-60 grams, adults are entirely iridescent black, often appearing deep purple or green in strong light, a common trait among the Aplonis genus. A key field mark is its bright red eye, contrasting sharply with its dark plumage and slender, dark bill. This species exhibits minimal to no sexual dimorphism, with both ...
This adaptable species thrives in a variety of open and disturbed habitats, including forest edges, clearings, urban parks, gardens, plantations, and cultivated areas. It is typically found at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily omnivorous, their diet consists mainly of fruits, berries, and a wide variety of insects, with some nectar consumption. They forage by gleaning, probing, and occasionally hawking prey.
Singing Starlings are highly social, often forming large, vocal flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes roosting communally in significant numbers. They are diurnal, active from dawn to dusk, foraging both arboreally and terrestrially. Foraging strategies involve gleaning insects from folia...
The Singing Starling is primarily resident across New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and several islands in eastern Indonesia, including the Maluku Islands. Its core breeding range encompasses the entire island of New Guinea (both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua) and extends east to New ...
Least Concern
- The Singing Starling's bright red eyes are a striking feature, making it easily distinguishable from other dark-plumaged starlings in its range. - Despite its name, many starlings are known for complex and melodious songs, but the 'Singing Starling' specifically highlights this species' vocal p...