Spodiopsar cineraceus
The White-cheeked Starling, *Spodiopsar cineraceus*, is a medium-sized passerine bird belonging to the Sturnidae family, renowned for its distinctive facial markings and adaptability. Adults typically measure 24-27 cm in length, with a wingspan of 38-42 cm and a weight ranging from 75-100 grams. Their plumage is predominantly glossy blackish-brown, often appearing darker, contrasted sharply by prominent white cheek patches that extend from below the eye to the nape. They possess a bright yell...
This highly adaptable starling thrives in open or semi-open country, including agricultural fields, urban parks, gardens, and woodlands. It is frequently found near human settlements, from sea level up to moderate elevations in hilly regions.
Their omnivorous diet consists primarily of insects (beetles, larvae, grasshoppers) during the breeding season, supplemented by fruits (berries, cherries), seeds, and human scraps, especially in winter and urban areas. They primarily forage on the ground, probing for invertebrates.
White-cheeked Starlings are primarily diurnal, foraging actively during the day and congregating in large, often noisy communal roosts at dusk, which can number in the thousands and are frequently located in urban trees or reedbeds. Their foraging strategy involves ground gleaning and probing wit...
The White-cheeked Starling has a wide distribution across East Asia. Its breeding range extends from the Russian Far East (Amurland and Ussuriland) across northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and throughout the main islands of Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu), with some presence in ...
Least Concern
- The scientific name 'cineraceus' means 'ash-gray,' a descriptor that, while not perfectly matching its blackish-brown plumage, alludes to subtle grayish tones or perhaps its duller juvenile appearance. - White-cheeked Starlings are expert urban adapters, often nesting in close proximity to huma...