Black-collared starling

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Black-collared starling
Black-collared starling (Gracupica nigricollis).jpg
Call and song in Thailand
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Gracupica
Species:
G. nigricollis
Binomial name
Gracupica nigricollis
(Paykull, 1807)
Distribution of black-collared starling (Gracupica nigricollis).png
Green: Extant (resident), Purple: Extant (resident and introduced)
Synonyms

Sturnus nigricollis

The black-collared starling (Gracupica nigricollis) is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. Its plumage is black and white, with a black collar. It is found in southern China and most of mainland Southeast Asia, and has been introduced to Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. Its habitats include grassland, dry forest and human settlements. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as being of least concern.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was described as Gracula nigricollis by Gustaf von Paykull in 1807. [2] Formerly placed in the genus Sturnus , it and the Siamese pied myna (Gracupica floweri) were separated to the genus Gracupica when Sturnus was split, following phylogenetic studies in 2008. [3] [4] [5] In the past it had also been placed in Sturnopastor, Acridotheres and Graculipica. [6]

Description

The black-collared starling is 26–30 cm (10–12 in) long. The head is white, with a yellow patch of bare skin around the eye, and a black collar around the neck. The mantle, back and wings are dark brown, appearing almost black. The underparts are white, often with a grey-brown tinge. [7] The tail and most of the covert and flight feathers are tipped white, with the primary coverts completely white. [7] [8] The beak is black, and the legs are pale grey. [9] The male and female are alike. The juvenile bird is browner and has a streaked neck and breast; it also has an eye-patch but not a collar. [8]

Distribution and habitat

This species is found in southern China from Fujian to Yunnan, and south to Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. [7] An individual recorded in Brunei may be an escaped captive or a vagrant. [8] It has been introduced to Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. [10] This starling lives in grassland, dry forest, cultivated areas and human settlements, mostly occurring at low elevations, but also up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). [7]

Behaviour

At a zoo in Miami Black Collared Starling RWD4.jpg
At a zoo in Miami

This starling forages on the ground, sometimes around livestock. [9] It feeds on insects, earthworms and seeds. [7] A very vocal bird, its calls include shrill, harsh, melodious and discordant notes, such as a jay-like kraak kraak, a whistling prrü resembling a bee-eater, and a pü-pü-pü-pü similar to a "hesitant" rufous-capped babbler. [7] [9] Its song is transcribed as tcheeuw-tchew-trieuw. [9] Two courtship displays have been recorded. One consists of a pair facing each other, their feathers ruffled and beaks open. In the other, the pair droop their wings and bow their heads. Between displays, the pair run or fly after each other. Pairs also preen each other, a behaviour known as allopreening. [7] The breeding season has been recorded as February to May in Thailand, March to July in China, and April to August in Burma. The large, domed nest is constructed from twigs, grasses, feathers and flowers. It is built on a tree, and may be re-used. Nesting colonies have been observed. Three to five eggs are laid per clutch. [7]

Status

Deforestation seems to have benefited this species, causing its range to expand. [7] The population appears to be increasing, and the IUCN has assessed it as a least-concern species. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starling</span> Family of birds

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. The Sturnidae are named for the genus Sturnus, which in turn comes from the Latin word for starling, sturnus. The family contains 128 species which are divided into 36 genera. Many Asian species, particularly the larger ones, are called mynas, and many African species are known as glossy starlings because of their iridescent plumage. Starlings are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as northern Australia and the islands of the tropical Pacific. Several European and Asian species have been introduced to these areas, as well as North America, Hawaii, and New Zealand, where they generally compete for habitats with native birds and are considered to be invasive species. The starling species familiar to most people in Europe and North America is the common starling, and throughout much of Asia and the Pacific, the common myna is indeed common.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myna</span> Common name for several species of birds

The mynas are a group of birds in the starling family (Sturnidae). This is a group of passerine birds which are native to Southern Asia, especially India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Several species have been introduced to areas like North America, Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand, especially the common myna, which is often regarded as an invasive species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brahminy starling</span> Species of bird

The brahminy starling or brahminy myna is a member of the starling family of birds. It is usually seen in pairs or small flocks in open habitats on the plains of the Indian subcontinent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bali myna</span> Species of bird in Indonesia

The Bali myna, also known as Rothschild's mynah, Bali starling, or Bali mynah, locally known as jalak Bali, is a medium-sized, stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs and a yellow bill. Both sexes are similar. It is critically endangered and in 2020, fewer than 50 adults were assumed to exist in the wild.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crested myna</span> Species of bird

The crested myna, also known as the Chinese starling, is a species of starling in the genus Acridotheres native to southeastern China and Indochina. It is named after the tuft of feathers on its forehead that resembles a crest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javan myna</span> Species of bird

The Javan myna, also known as the white-vented myna, is a species of myna. It is a member of the starling family. It is native to Bali and Java. It has been introduced to other Asian countries, and as far away as Puerto Rico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian pied myna</span> Species of bird

The Indian pied myna is a species of starling found in the Indian subcontinent. It is usually found in small groups mainly on the plains and low foothills. It is often seen within cities and villages although it is not as bold as the common myna. It produces a range of calls made up of liquid notes.

<i>Acridotheres</i> Genus of birds

Acridotheres is a genus of starlings, the "typical" mynas, which are tropical members of the family Sturnidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-cheeked starling</span> Species of bird

The white-cheeked starling or grey starling is a passerine bird of the starling family. It is native to eastern Asia where it is a common and well-known bird in much of its range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wattled starling</span> Species of bird

The wattled starling is a nomadic resident bird in eastern and southern Africa. It is a species of grassland, open woodland, and cultivation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulawesi myna</span> Species of bird

The Sulawesi myna is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apo myna</span> Species of bird

The Apo myna is a species of starling in the starling family Sturnidae. The species is also known as the Mount Apo starling or the Mount Apo king starling. It is the only member of the genus Goodfellowia. It is endemic to the Philippines found only in the tropical montane forests of Mindanao. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiery-browed starling</span> Species of bird

The fiery-browed starling or fiery-browed myna is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is monotypic within the genus Enodes. Distinguished by a reddish-orange stripe over the eye, it is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, mainly living in humid highland forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-collared starling</span> Species of bird

The white-collared starling is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is monotypic within the genus Grafisia. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-faced myna</span> Species of bird

The yellow-faced myna is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in New Guinea and nearby smaller islands, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. The long-tailed myna was formerly included as a subspecies. One of the largest species of starling, this species attains 23 to 26 cm in length and weighs around 217 g (7.7 oz). They have dark plumage with a metallic lustre and bright orange facial markings and beak. These birds are social and omnivorous. Their diet consists of fruit and insects for which they forage high in the canopy. They are common birds with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed their conservation status as being of "least concern". It was named after Charles Dumont.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-winged myna</span> Species of bird

The black-winged myna is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. The species is also known as the black-winged starling or the white-breasted starling. It is endemic to Indonesia. There are three recognised subspecies: the nominate race, which occurs across much of the island of Java; tricolor, which is restricted to south east Java; and tertius, which is found on Bali and possibly Lombok. The validity of the records on Lombok has been called into question, as there are only a few records and those may represent escapees from the caged-bird trade or natural vagrants. The species has often been assigned to the starling genus Sturnus, but is now placed in Acridotheres because it is behaviourally and vocally closer to the birds in that genus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-shouldered starling</span> Species of bird

The white-shouldered starling is a species of bird in the starling family Sturnidae. It breeds in southern China and northern Vietnam; it winters in Southeast Asia.

<i>Gracupica</i> Genus of birds

Gracupica is a genus of Asian birds in the family Sturnidae. It is sometimes merged with Sturnus or Sturnia.

<i>Sturnia</i> Genus of birds

Sturnia is a genus of Asian birds in the starling family Sturnidae. It is sometimes merged with Sturnus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nias hill myna</span> Species of bird

The Nias hill myna or Nias myna is a member of the starling family. It is an endemic resident of Nias and other nearby islands off western Sumatra. Clements lumps this species with the common hill myna.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2016). "Gracupica nigricollis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22710903A94266268. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22710903A94266268.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. Paykull, Gustaf von (1807). "Beskrifning pa en ny Fogel, Gracula nigricollis". Kongl. Vetenskaps Academiens Nya Handlingar. 2 (in Swedish). 28: 291.
  3. Lovette, Irby J.; McCleery, Brynn V.; Talaba, Amanda L.; Rubinstein, Dustin R. (2008). "A complete species-level molecular phylogeny for the 'Eurasian' starlings". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 47 (1): 251–260. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.01.020. PMID   18321732.
  4. Zuccon, Dario; Pasquet, Eric; Ericson, Per G. P. (2008). "Phylogenetic relationships among Palearctic–Oriental starlings and mynas" (PDF). Zoologica Scripta. 37: 469–481. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2008.00339.x. S2CID   56403448.
  5. Gill, F.; Donsker, D. (eds.). "Nuthatches, Wallcreeper, treecreepers, mockingbirds, starlings, oxpeckers". IOC World Bird List Version 8.2. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  6. Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum. Vol. 13. 1890. p. 77.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Feare, Chris; Craig, Adrian (2010). Starlings and Mynas. A&C Black. p. 166. ISBN   9781408135228.
  8. 1 2 3 Wells, David R. (2010). The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Vol. 2. Bloomsbury. p. 447. ISBN   9781408133132.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Brazil, Mark (2009). Birds of East Asia. A&C Black. p. 394. ISBN   9780713670400.
  10. Craig, A.; Feare, C. "Black-collared Starling (Gracupica nigricollis)". In del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D. A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions.