Metallic Starling - Aplonis metallica

The Metallic Starling is also known as the Shining Starling. It is native to New Guinea and the Australasian islands and northeastern Australia.

Male adult Metallic Starlings have a glossy green-black plumage that is iridescent. They have a long tail and red eyes. Females and immatures Metallic Starling have a dark streaked whitish body with dark wings and head.

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Adult

male 03/25/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA male 03/25/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA	Metallic Starling nest 03/26/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Metallic Starling nest 03/26/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA	Female 03/26/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Female 03/26/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA
Female 03/26/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Female 03/26/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA	Male Metallic Starling gathering nesting material 03/30/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Male Metallic Starling gathering nesting material 03/30/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA	Male 03/30/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Male 03/30/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA
02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ 02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ	02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ 02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ	02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ 02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ
Out of focus picture, but I think the Metallic Starling's tongue is showing 02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ Out of focus picture, but I think the Metallic Starling's tongue is showing 02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ	Males 02/15/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Males 02/15/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA	Female 02/15/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Female 02/15/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA

Diet: Metallic Starlings eat mainly fruit and a few insects. The adults expel the seeds after eating and digesting the fruit. Insects are the major diet for young birds.

Courtship: The males sing and dance to attract females. If the female is interested she will approach the male.

Nesting: Metallic Starling form large colonies. Their woven nests are suspended from large trees. The entrance to the nest is on the side. The female can lay two or three eggs two or three times a year.

Habitat and Range: Metallic Starlings inhabit rainforests and coastal woodland on New Guinea, the Australasian Islands and northeastern Australia.

Vocalization: Metallic Starlings will mimic other birds.

Plumage/Molt: No direct information but they do not have an alternate or breeding plumage and most Starlings molt annually.

Migration: Not a migrant.

Tongue/feet: Black legs and feet.

Bibliography:

• http://en.wikipedia.org The Free Encyclopedia, Accessed June, 2012
• http://violets-and-lace.com/archives/category/birds Growing to a Better Future, Accessed June, 2012
• http://philadelphiazoo.org Philadelphia Zoo, Accessed June, 2012
• http://birdlife.org BirdLife International, Accessed June, 2012

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