Agropsar sturninus

(Pallas, 1776)

Vernacular names
English : Purple-backed starling
French : Étourneau de Daourie

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Sturnidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species can grow to 19 cm in length for a weight of 100 g. Male is light grey-white with dark crown, glossy blue wings and tail, and purple mantle. Female is dirty brownish-grey with brownish mantle and no spot on crown. Black bill.

Range and habitat
The species lives in eastern Asia. It breeds from east Mongolia and south-east Russia to north-east China. Winters from Thailand to Sumatra and Java. Lives in lowland forest steppes, woodlands, gardens and agricultural areas.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is uncommon during wintering and only locally common at breeding sites. It can be considered as a pest but not yet persecuted.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Penang Bird Park (Malaysia), Berlin Zoo (Germany)

 

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