Hello everyone! You’re probably familiar with the starlings you often see in the city. But did you know that this seemingly plain bird actually has many relatives? Let’s shine a spotlight on these starlings!
Chestnut-cheeked Starling: A Visitor of the Northern Summer
The Chestnut-cheeked Starling is a bit smaller than the common starling, with a body length of about 20 cm. It is a summer visitor that breeds in Hokkaido and the northern part of Honshu. The male and female differ in color; the male has bluish-grey on the chest and sides with glossy feathers, while the female has a grey-brown back and a white belly. Their call is similar to that of the common starling but has a gentler “kyurkyur” sound, adding a peaceful touch to nature!
Red-billed Starling: The Silver Wings of Winter
The Red-billed Starling, about the same size as the common starling at 25 cm in length, has a strong bluish tint to its grey-brown feathers. It mainly visits Japan as a winter or migratory bird, often seen moving in flocks. It has an omnivorous diet, favoring fruits from the fig family and loquats. There have been sightings of it pairing with common starlings. Its numbers have been increasing recently, so you might be lucky to spot one!
Common Starling: Dancing Stars in the Sky
The Common Starling, slightly smaller than the typical starling at 21 cm with a finer beak, is adorned with white or yellowish spots on its black feathers, reminiscent of stars. How romantic! They can be observed nationwide, especially migrating to southwestern Japan. You can see them foraging on the ground or moving along with other starlings.
White-shouldered Starling: The Hidden Resident of the Treetops
The White-shouldered Starling, slightly smaller than the common starling at about 20 cm, has a beautiful appearance with a grey-brown head, back, and belly, and a white chest and lower body. It is a migratory or winter visitor mainly to the southern part of Kyushu and the southwestern islands. Unlike common starlings, they are arboreal and rarely walk on the ground, though they sometimes mix with starling flocks. Their habits are similar to those of the Chestnut-cheeked Starling.
Daurian Starling: The Slender Traveler
The Daurian Starling, about 20 cm long and slightly smaller than the common starling, is mainly observed on the Sea of Japan side of isolated islands and the southwestern islands as a migratory bird. The male has a black upper body and a white lower body, with distinctive purplish or greenish gloss and complex orange patterns, while the female has similar patterns but a brown upper body and a greyish lower body. Their slender build and coloration resemble that of the Chestnut-cheeked Starling.
Pastor roseus: Shimmering in Rosy Hues
Pastor roseus, slightly smaller than the common starling at about 22 cm, truly lives up to its name with a bluish-purple gloss on its head and a beautiful peach color on its back, waist, and belly. Its vibrant colors are particularly striking in its summer plumage. It is a rare vagrant bird in Japan.
Were you surprised to learn about these starlings living in Japan? Not just in the city, but also in nature, there might be new discoveries and inspirations among the flocks of starlings. If you have the chance, try observing the diversity of these starlings. See you next time!
