Samoan Starling

Samoan Starling
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Aplonis
Species: A. atrifusca
Binomial name
Aplonis atrifusca
(Peale, 1848)

The Samoan Starling (Aplonis atrifusca) is a large starling of the family Sturnidae.[1] It is found in American Samoa and Samoa. The species has a dark brown, glossy appearance, with a long bill. Its natural habitat is tropical moist forest on volcanic islands, where it is common and more conspicuous than the Polynesian Starling, which is found in the same habitat. Vocalizations include various whistles and other sounds.[2] This starling feeds on a variety of fruits, especially guava, and insects. Little is known of its mating or social habits, but it appears to nest year-round, in tree cavities. Its eggs are pale blue.[3] [4]

References

  1. ^ "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". http://www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 16 August 2009. 
  2. ^ Pratt, et al, H. Douglas (1987). The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-02399-9. 
  3. ^ Feare, Chris; Craig, Adrian (1998). Starlings and Mynas. Christopher Helm. pp. 130–131. ISBN 0-7136-3961-X. 
  4. ^ Craig, P.. "Natural History Guide to American Samoa". National Park of American Samoa, Department Marine and Wildlife Resources, American Samoa Community College. http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/NatHistGuideAS09op.pdf. Retrieved 16 August 2009. 

External links