Singing starling

The singing starling (Aplonis cantoroides) is a medium-sized (20 cm in length) starling.

Description
Adult singing starlings have glossy black plumage and bright red irises. Immature birds are paler, with streaked underparts and brown irises. They are distinguished from metallic starlings by shorter, square tails and thicker bills.

Distribution and habitat
Singing starlings are found in New Guinea and some adjacent islands, the Bismarck Archipelago, Admiralty Islands and Solomon Islands. They have been recorded from Boigu and Saibai Islands, Queensland, Australian territory in north-western Torres Strait. They inhabit forest edges, gardens and cultivated areas with trees, urban areas and coconut groves.

Feeding
They eat figs and other soft fruits, and sometimes insects.

Breeding
They nest in tree-hollows, cliffs and buildings, often colonially, laying 2-3 pale blue eggs.

Call
The call is a repeated, high-pitched, down-slurred whistle.

Conservation
As a species with a large range and no evidence of population decline, it is assessed as being of Least Concern.