male; glossy greenish-black lumage; red iris (Zoo; 2008-11-30)


Metallic Starling
Aplonis metallica

Native Range: Australian Region (especially New Guinea)

Notes: lives mostly in New Guinea but in August migrates to Queensland, Australia; shows strong sexual dimorphism; these birds build messy globular communal nests that they hang from tree limbs.


white streakings on the head and neck (Zoo; 2008-11-30)
dorsal view; long pointed tail (Zoo; 2008-11-30)

female; brown streaks on buffy underparts (Zoo; 2008-11-30)
dorsal view; brown head and upperparts (Zoo; 2008-11-30)

large hanging communal nest (Zoo; 2008-11-30)
dorsal view of male (Zoo; 2012-10-23)

side view of female (Zoo; 2012-10-23)
female posing for a head portrait (Zoo; 2012-10-23)