The Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. This species has Least Concern status according to the IUCN Red List. It is because this birds can adapting well to human development. On some points, they can be invasive on fruit plantations!
Habitat
Also known as the Philippine Glossy Starling, this birds lives in Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, India and the surrounding country. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest. A large population of the Asian Glossy Starling lives in cities, making nests in abandoned buildings and trees.
Characteristics
This birds have medium size, weigh about 50-60 g with 20 cm body length. They have life span approximately 12 years.
Both male and female birds have metallic, dark green feathers that is almost look black or purple. The thing that stands out is the eyes which is bright red! The slim body and narrow wings can help them to flight easily to be swift and direct.
Diet & Behaviours
Their diet consists predominantly of soft fruits, such as mango, papaya, and banana, as well as berries, figs, and insects. They prefer perching in trees, and rarely land on the ground. Only fallen fruit tempt them to the ground, then they hop it in clumsy.
As social birds, the flocks can congregate in groups of around 20. Often move in large groups, the flocks will flying in symmetrical patterns before landing in a roosting tree. Not only that, they are known as one of the noisiest families of birds! Also, like the other birds in the family Sturnidae, they can mimic the other sounds.
The Asian Glossy Starling will set up their nests near the rest of the flock, and the female will lay about 3 eggs in one time.
