- Metallic Starling
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Metallic Starling 
At Phoenix Zoo, Arizona, USA Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae Genus: Aplonis Species: A. metallica Binomial name Aplonis metallica
(Temminck, 1824)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.
Contents
Description
Male at San Diego Zoo, California, USA
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[1] to the northern regions of Queensland, where they mate, preparing messy globular nests for their young which hang from tall trees.[2] There they remain until April,[1] whereupon they make their return journey to New Guinea.
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Juveniles, Cairns Esplanade, N Qld
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Notes
- ^ 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.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). Aplonis metallica. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
External links
Categories:- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Aplonis
- Birds of Australia
- Birds of Southeast Asia
- Birds of Indonesia
- Birds of Papua New Guinea
- Birds of the Solomon Islands
- Sturnidae stubs
- Solomon Islands stubs
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