Asian Glossy Starling vs Common Starling

Asian Glossy Starling

Aplonis panayensis

How to recognise an Asian glossy starling?

General appearance

The Asian glossy starling, also known as Aplonis panayensis, is widely recognized for its distinct, glossy dark-blue or greenish-blue plumage. They are medium-sized birds with pointed wings, short tail, and strong legs. Their eyes have a prominent white iris against a dark body offering a striking contrast.

Male vs female

Both male and female Asian glossy starlings have similar appearances, with no visible physical differentiation between the two genders. Both sexes sport the same shiny coloration and possess similar physical features, making it challenging to tell them apart in the wild based on appearance alone.

Juvenile

Juvenile Asian glossy starlings have less glossy brownish-black plumage compared to adults, with their feathers gradually gaining the characteristic adult gloss as they mature. Their eyes have a brownish iris, which turns white as they age. The lack of the glossy coloration and the eye color difference are the key distinguishing factors of juveniles from adults.

Size

6.7 - 7.9 in/1.8 - 2.1 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Asian glossy starling primarily inhabits open woodlands, gardens, and urban areas across Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Additional range

While it prefers tropical climates, it unexpectedly adapts to human-dominated environments and is found in cities and cultivated lands where it exploits available resources.

Range Map

What do Asian glossy starlings like to eat?

Natural diet

The Asian glossy starling primarily feeds on fruits and berries found in its natural habitat. It is known to consume a variety of fruits from trees, shrubs, and other vegetation. Insects also form a significant portion of its diet, particularly during the breeding season when protein is in higher demand. The bird often hunts for insects on tree bark, leaves, or in the air. Additionally, it may feed on nectar from flowering plants and occasionally consume small vertebrates.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the Asian glossy starling is commonly attracted to offerings of fruits such as bananas, papayas, and other soft fruits. It may also eat seed mixes that contain fruit or nuts. These birds are less likely to consume typical seeds found in many bird feeders but may still visit feeders that provide suet or nectar mixtures, especially those high in sugar content, mimicking the natural nectar sources they enjoy.

What does an Asian glossy starling sound like?

The Asian glossy starling is known for its diverse vocalizations. Typical calls include a harsh, high-pitched 'shreek' or 'skeeer' sound. Its song consists of complex melodies with a variety of mimicked sounds from other bird species and natural surroundings. It communicates using a range of whistles, chatters, and other musical notes and sequences. City dwelling birds often incorporate human-influenced sounds into their songs.

Song

Audio by James Lambert

/ CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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Common Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Also known as: European Starling, Starling

How to recognise a common starling?

General appearance

The common starling is about the size of a robin, measuring 8 1/2 inches (22 cm) in length. It possesses a short tail and a thin straight bill. Its plumage changes with the seasons, appearing black with glimmers of purple and green in spring and summer. It is speckled with white in the fall, which wear off during winter.

Male vs female

The bills of both sexes change color throughout the year - bright yellow during the breeding season. The base of the lower mandible takes a different hue, with males displaying a blue color and females, a pink one. The bills are duller during other seasons.

Juvenile

Juvenile common starlings, often seen in flocks in summer, differ greatly in appearance from the adults. Their plumage is dusty gray, and their bills are dark.

Size

7.9 - 9.1 in/1.9 - 3.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The common starling predominantly inhabits cities, parks, farms, open groves, and fields, being most numerous in farm country and suburban areas.

Additional range

Though usually scarce in wild forest, scrub, or desert areas, starlings are known to breed around buildings or settlements within these environments.

Range Map

What do common starlings like to eat?

Natural diet

The common starling's natural diet is diverse and includes a variety of insects and invertebrates such as beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, and earthworms. They are also known to feed on fruits and berries, including cherries, plums, and blackberries, particularly in the late summer and fall.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, common starlings often consume suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and mealworms. They are attracted to suet cakes and balls, which provide high-energy food, especially in colder weather. Starlings are also known to eat breadcrumbs and other food scraps provided at feeders.

What does a common starling sound like?

The common starling produces a series of discordant, musical, squeaky, and rasping notes, often mimicking other birds' calls. Its distinctive marking call is a descending whee-ee, with a call pattern that is falling, flat, rising, and undulating. The varied call types include trills, whistles, and screams, as well as chirps or chips.

Call

Audio by Gabriel Leite

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Asian Glossy Starling

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Common Starling

Asian Glossy Starling

Aplonis panayensis

General appearance

The Asian glossy starling, also known as Aplonis panayensis, is widely recognized for its distinct, glossy dark-blue or greenish-blue plumage. They are medium-sized birds with pointed wings, short tail, and strong legs. Their eyes have a prominent white iris against a dark body offering a striking contrast.

Male vs female

Both male and female Asian glossy starlings have similar appearances, with no visible physical differentiation between the two genders. Both sexes sport the same shiny coloration and possess similar physical features, making it challenging to tell them apart in the wild based on appearance alone.

Juvenile

Juvenile Asian glossy starlings have less glossy brownish-black plumage compared to adults, with their feathers gradually gaining the characteristic adult gloss as they mature. Their eyes have a brownish iris, which turns white as they age. The lack of the glossy coloration and the eye color difference are the key distinguishing factors of juveniles from adults.

Size

6.7 - 7.9 in/1.8 - 2.1 oz

There's more to learn about Asian Glossy Starling

View full details

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Also known as: European Starling, Starling

General appearance

The common starling is about the size of a robin, measuring 8 1/2 inches (22 cm) in length. It possesses a short tail and a thin straight bill. Its plumage changes with the seasons, appearing black with glimmers of purple and green in spring and summer. It is speckled with white in the fall, which wear off during winter.

Male vs female

The bills of both sexes change color throughout the year - bright yellow during the breeding season. The base of the lower mandible takes a different hue, with males displaying a blue color and females, a pink one. The bills are duller during other seasons.

Juvenile

Juvenile common starlings, often seen in flocks in summer, differ greatly in appearance from the adults. Their plumage is dusty gray, and their bills are dark.

Size

7.9 - 9.1 in/1.9 - 3.6 oz

There's more to learn about Common Starling

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How to tell the Asian Glossy Starling from the Common Starling

Visual differences

The Asian Glossy Starling features glossy dark-blue or greenish-blue plumage with a striking white iris, measuring 6.7-7.9 inches and weighing 1.8-2.1 ounces. In contrast, the Common Starling, 8.6-9 inches long and 1.9-3.6 ounces, sports seasonal plumage: iridescent black with purple-green glimmers and white speckles. The Asian Glossy Starling's short tail and pointed wings differ from the Common Starling's short tail and thin, straight bill, which turns yellow during breeding. Juveniles of both species are less iridescent, with Asian Glossy Starlings having brownish-black plumage and Common Starlings a dusty gray.

Key differences and behavior

The Asian Glossy Starling (AGS) and Common Starling (CS) exhibit distinct behaviors and preferences. AGSs are notably sociable, forming large flocks and occupying open woodlands, urban areas, and gardens across Southeast Asia. CSs, although also sociable, create spectacular murmurations and are common in cities and farms of Europe and North America. AGSs primarily consume fruits and insects, while CSs have a broader diet, including a variety of insects, fruits, and invertebrates. During breeding, AGSs engage in vibrant displays, while CS males sing to attract mates, possibly having multiple partners. Both species nest in cavities, but CSs may use unique locations like cacti. Overall, AGSs adapt well to tropical urban environments, whereas CSs thrive in temperate agricultural and suburban settings.