| Madagascar starling | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Sturnidae |
| Genus: | Hartlaubius Bonaparte, 1853 |
| Species: | H. auratus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hartlaubius auratus (Müller, 1776) | |
 | |
| Distribution of the Madagascan starling | |
| Synonyms | |
Saroglossa aurata | |
TheMadagascar starling (Hartlaubius auratus) is a species ofstarling in the familySturnidae. It isendemic toMadagascar.[1]
Commonly placed in themonotypic genusHartlaubius, the Madagascan starling is also sometimes placed in the genusSaroglossa (asSaroglossa aurata), which otherwise only contains thespot-winged starling (S. spilopterus).[2]
The Madagascar Starling often resides in wooded areas,[3] seen eating various fruits and insects,[3] and are a brown colored bird with accents of white and black on different parts of the body.[4]
The Madagascar Starlings diet consists of fruit, insects andnectar. They are often found eating figs, berries, larvae and other items. They forage for these items along the treetops at a forest's edge.[3] As well as finding insects at dung pats.[5] They can be found feeding with a flock of 4-22 and can also be spotted occasionally feeding with other frugivores. Including theMadagascar green pigeon but are rarely seen with insectivores.[3]
The average size of the Madagascar Starling is around 20 cm and weighs about 40g. Males have a dark brown head and a lighter brown that spreads across the upper parts of the body. The wings are dark blue with a violet shine to them, and also include a large white stripe on the outer part of the wing and an oval patch on the inner part of the six outermostwing feathers. The tail is a dark blue/green color with a bit of shine. The outer tail feathers have white edges. The brown on the head travels down to the center of the chest with the rest of the chest and sides being of the dark brown color. The under belly, thighs and feathers beneath the tail are white. The bird's eyes are a dark brown color and the beak and legs are black. The female'splumage is less shiny than the males, the top of the head and back of her neck are brown, with lighter edges on the feathers. From the female's chin to chest and sides the feathers are more of a grey-brown color with darker streaks down the middle of each individual feather. Juvenile birds are more similar to the females visual appearance.[4]
The Madagascar Starlings breeding season is from September to november. They are often found nesting in tree holes during this time. Their eggs are of a pale blue color with brown spots.[3]
The Madagascar Starling is often found in humid and wooded areas.[3] Including forest andshrubland ecosystems, and they are found in a terrestrial system. There is concern for the population due to the decrease of their habitat options.[6] It can often be found perched on exposed branches and is almost never seen on the ground.[5]
The current population of the Madagascar Starling has been declining, but the number of mature individuals is unknown. These birds do not migrate. The generation length of the Madagascar Starling is 4.1 years.[6]
