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Roosting of a mixed flock of starlings

on 2nd November 2010

Richard Lim sent in an account of the roosting of a mixed flock of starlings accompanied with images photographed on 17th October 2010 by friend Ms NM Ong. The starlings were roosting on the bare branches of a dead tree along Singapore’s Serangoon Road (above).

The flock consisted on the lighter plumaged Daurian (Purple-backed) Starlings (Sturnus sturninus) and the black plumaged Asian Glossy Starlings (Aplonis panayensis).

Although the two species of starlings roosted in the same tree, they flew in separately, probably from different locations (above). They probably will similarly fly out the next morning in different flocks, each going to a different foraging destination.

The birds were very noisy when they arrived at the dead tree. They moved frequently from the bare branches of the dead tree to the leafy branches of nearby trees. Apparently they appeared disturbed by the presence of the large numbers of mynas and Pink-necked Green Pigeons (Treron vernans) that were around.

The starlings kept moving from one tree to another, but ended up settling on the bare tree. “Perhaps they were driven from the leafy trees?” mused Richard.

Purple-backed Starlings are common winter visitors and passage migrants to Singapore. Large numbers begin to arrive in September and October and again in March.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. The Purple-backed is a lot less common up north in northern Peninsular Malaysia, my daily scanning effort every weekend during the evening roost only revealed 1 single Purple-backed so far in the group (only 2 other positive sightings in previous years), the Purple-backed being a loner, joined the Asian Glossy flock in flight. However in Petaling Jaya, Central Peninsular Malaysia, the two species tend to follow their own flock, but here Purple-backed at least happens to be in flocks, not singles….

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