Starlings
Metallic Starling
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family†: Sturnidae
Genera Aplonis Poeoptera Grafisia Onychognathus Lamprotornis Aplonis Aplonis Cinnyricinclus Speculipastor Neochicla Spreo Cosmoparus Sarroglossa Creatophora Fregilupus (extinct) Sturnus Leucopsar Basilornis Streptocitta Sarcops Scissirostrum
† See also Myna, Oxpecker

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturndidae. Starlings occur naturally only in the Old World, some forms as far east as Australia, but several European and Asian species have been introduced to North America and Australia; the Common Starling is a serious pest in both continents.

They are medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Several species live around habitation, and are effectively omnivores.

Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. Most species nest in holes, laying blue or white eggs.

Many species,particularly the larger ones, are called mynas, and the African genus Lamprotornis are known as glossy starlings. The two species of Buphagus are called oxpeckers.

Species list:

• Metallic Starling, Aplonis metallica
• Yellow-eyed Starling, Aplonis mystacea
• Singing Starling, Aplonis cantoroides
• Tanimbar Starling, Aplonis crassa
• Atoll Starling, Aplonis feadensis
• Rennell Starling, Aplonis insularis
• Long-tailed Starling, Aplonis magna
• White-eyed Starling, Aplonis brunneicapilla
• Brown-winged Starling, Aplonis grandis
• San Cristobal Starling, Aplonis dichroa
• Rusty-winged Starling, Aplonis zelandica
• Striated Starling, Aplonis striata
• Mountain Starling, Aplonis santovestris
• Asian Glossy Starling, Aplonis panayensis
• Moluccan Starling, Aplonis mysolensis
• Short-tailed Starling, Aplonis minor
• Micronesian Starling, Aplonis opaca
• Pohnpei Starling, Aplonis pelzelni
• Polynesian Starling, Aplonis tabuensis
• Samoan Starling, Aplonis atrifusca
• Rarotonga Starling, Aplonis cinerascens

• Yellow-faced Myna, Mino dumontii
• Golden Myna, Mino anais
• Long-tailed Myna, Mino kreffti

• Sulawesi Myna, Basilornis celebensis
• Helmeted Myna, Basilornis galeatus
• Long-crested Myna, Basilornis corythaix
• Apo Myna, Basilornis miranda

• Coleto, Sarcops calvus

• White-necked Myna, Streptocitta albicollis
• Bare-eyed Myna, Streptocitta albertinae

• Fiery-browed Myna, Enodes erythrophris

• Finch-billed Myna, Scissirostrum dubium

• Spot-winged Starling, Saroglossa spiloptera
• Madagascar Starling, Saroglossa aurata

• Golden-crested Myna, Ampeliceps coronatus

• Common Hill Myna, Gracula religiosa
• Southern Hill Myna, Gracula indica
• Enggano Myna, Gracula enganensis
• Nias Myna, Gracula robusta
• Ceylon Myna, Gracula ptilogenys

• White-vented Myna, Acridotheres grandis
• Crested Myna, Acridotheres cristatellus
• Javan Myna, Acridotheres javanicus
• Pale-bellied Myna, Acridotheres cinereus
• Jungle Myna, Acridotheres fuscus
• Collared Myna, Acridotheres albocinctus
• Bank Myna, Acridotheres ginginianus
• Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis
• Black-winged Starling, Acridotheres melanopterus

• Bali Myna, Leucopsar rothschildi

• Black-collared Starling, Gracupica nigricollis
• Asian Pied Starling, Gracupica contra
  • This genus is commonly included within Sturnus

• Daurian Starling, Sturnia sturnina
• Chestnut-cheeked Starling, Sturnia philippensis
• White-shouldered Starling, Sturnia sinensis
• Chestnut-tailed Starling, Sturnia malabarica
• White-headed Starling, Sturnia erythropygia
• White-faced Starling, Sturnia albofrontata
  • This genus is commonly included within Sturnus

• Brahminy Starling, Temenuchus pagodarum
  • This genus is commonly included within Sturnus

• Vinous-breasted Starling, Sturnus burmannicus (treated by some in Acridotheres)
• Rosy Starling, Sturnus roseus
• Red-billed Starling, Sturnus sericeus
• White-cheeked Starling, Sturnus cineraceus
• Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris
• Spotless Starling, Sturnus unicolor

• Wattled Starling, Creatophora cinerea

Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens