| Polynesian Starling | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Sturnidae |
| Genus: | Aplonis |
| Species: | A. tabuensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Aplonis tabuensis (Gmelin, 1788) |
|
The Polynesian Starling (Aplonis tabuensis) is a species of starling of the family Sturnidae.[1] It is found in American Samoa, Samoa, Fiji, Niue, Tonga, the Santa Cruz Islands, and Wallis and Futuna Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and tropical moist forests. Various subspecies exist throughout this wide range, some darker in coloration and some lighter. Its call is a raspy buzz or rattle. Diet is fruit and insects.[2]
On islands where the Samoan Starling is present, the Polynesian Starling is less conspicuous and keeps to the forest, feeding on harder, less edible fruit. [3]