Metallic Starling

The Metallic Starling, also known as the Shining Starling, is a captivating bird with a plumage that glistens in a greenish-black sheen. Adult birds boast striking red eyes and a long, forked tail that adds to their sleek appearance. In contrast, the immature starlings present a more subdued look with paler undersides marked by dark streaks.

Identification Tips

To identify the Metallic Starling, look for its glossy green-black feathers and distinctive red eyes. The adults are unmistakable with their forked tails, while the juveniles can be recognized by their streaked underparts.

Habitat

These starlings favour the tall rainforest trees, where they engage in their communal nesting activities. They thrive in the lush canopies, which provide both shelter and a vantage point for their social interactions.

Distribution

Native to the Moluccas, New Guinea, Queensland, and the Solomon Islands, the Metallic Starling is a bird of the tropics. In Queensland, they are notably present in areas such as Kuranda in the Atherton Tablelands and Mossman Gorge.

Behaviour

Metallic Starlings are highly social creatures, forming flocks that construct their untidy, globular nests high in the rainforest trees. They exhibit a boldness around humans, undisturbed by ground activities below, yet a sudden loud noise can send them swirling out in tight formation before they return to their nests. Their movements are swift and precise. Historically, some flocks have been observed migrating to Dunk Island in far north Queensland during August, where they breed and remain until April before returning to New Guinea.

Breeding

Breeding are a communal affair for the Metallic Starling, with flocks building their nests together, possibly during the wet season. These nests are messy, globular structures suspended high in the rainforest trees, providing a safe haven for their young.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Metallic Starling includes fruit, as evidenced by observations of them feeding on Ptychosperma elegans fruit in Cairns, Queensland.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Metallic Starling as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no significant threats to their population numbers.