Rosy Starling

The rosy starling, or Pastor roseus, is a passerine bird that belongs to the starling family, Sturnidae. It is also known as the rose-coloured starling or rose-coloured pastor. This bird is the sole member of its genus, Pastor, having been recently separated from the genus Sturnus. The rosy starling is a striking bird, particularly the adult male with its pink body, pale orange legs and bill, and a glossy black head, wings, and tail.

Identification Tips

During the breeding season, the male rosy starling sports elongated head feathers that form a crest, which becomes more pronounced when the bird is excited. In contrast, the female has a shorter crest and the demarcation between pink and black is less distinct. Juveniles are paler with a short yellow bill, and they lack the adult crest. They undergo a molt in autumn, but do not attain full adult plumage until they are nearly one or two years old, depending on sex.

Habitat

The rosy starling is found in the steppes, semi-deserts, and deserts of Central Asia and Southeast Europe. It thrives in open agricultural landscapes and is a bird of the steppe.

Distribution

This species breeds from northwestern Mongolia across various regions to southern Russia and Southeast Europe. It is a strong migrant, wintering in India and tropical Asia. The rosy starling can erupt well beyond its core range in years of abundant insect populations.

Behaviour

Rosy starlings are highly social and form large, noisy flocks. They can be a nuisance to cereal crop growers and orchardists but are also beneficial as they consume pests like locusts and grasshoppers. Their breeding season is brief and synchronized with the peak abundance of grasshoppers.

Song & Calls

The rosy starling's vocalizations are a mixture of squeaks and rattles, accompanied by wing trembling, characteristic of starlings.

Breeding

The species breeds in colonies and forms large winter flocks. It has an omnivorous diet but shows a preference for insects. In Xinjiang, China, artificial nests have been used to attract rosy starlings for biological pest control, reducing the need for insecticides.

Diet and Feeding

Rosy starlings feed on a variety of fruits, berries, flower nectar, cereal grains, and insects. They have a particular fondness for locusts and grasshoppers, as well as fruits from Ficus and Lantana species, among others.

Conservation status

The rosy starling is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline or extinction.