Micronesian starling
| Micronesian starling | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Sturnidae |
| Genus: | Aplonis |
| Species: | A. opaca
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| Binomial name | |
| Aplonis opaca (Kittlitz, 1833)
| |
The Micronesian starling (Aplonis opaca), also known as the Såli,[2] is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. It is the only native frugivore existing on Guam.[3]
They are bold around humans and will follow humans in seabird colonies to take the eggs of seabirds flushed by them.
They breed year-round.[4] Both parents care for their young, nesting in cavities.[4] They demonstrate significant aggression when defending nests, especially for older nestlings.[4]
Diet[edit]
Micronesian starlings consume fruit, seeds, the occasional insect and the eggs of seabirds.[5] The majority of plants they eat fruit from are native to the islands they inhabit.[2] They are a key seed disperser in Mariana Islands forests.[2]
Their diet seems to be consistent year-round.[2] Nestlings, juveniles, and adults have similar diets, with the exception of papayas, which are eaten by adults and juveniles but rarely by nestlings.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Aplonis opaca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22710519A94249379. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22710519A94249379.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Pollock, Henry S.; Fricke, Evan C.; Rehm, Evan M.; Kastner, Martin; Suckow, Nicole; Savidge, Julie A.; Rogers, Haldre S. (2020-01-17). "Såli (Micronesian starling –Aplonis opaca) as a key seed dispersal agent across a tropical archipelago". Journal of Tropical Ecology. 36 (2): 56–64. doi:10.1017/s0266467419000361. ISSN 0266-4674.
- ^ Thierry, Hugo; Rogers, Haldre (2020-03-04). "Where to rewild? A conceptual framework to spatially optimize ecological function". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 287 (1922): 20193017. doi:10.1098/rspb.2019.3017. ISSN 0962-8452.
- ^ a b c Jenkins, J. Mark (January 1983). "The Native Forest Birds of Guam". Ornithological Monographs (31): ii–61. doi:10.2307/40166770.
- ^ JD Reichel; PO Glass (1990). "Micronesian Starling Predation on Seabird Eggs" (PDF). Emu. 90 (2): 135–136. doi:10.1071/MU9900135.
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