Rose colored starling (Pastor roseus) complete detail – updated. Description of rose colored starling (Pastor roseus) rosy starling. Classification of Rose colored starling (Pastor roseus). Habit and habitat of Rose colored starling. Rose coloured starling is a social bird generally found in large groups, occasionally in small groups or in pairs.
Rose coloured starling have nape feathers hackled and elongate, forming long erectile crest. Dorsal surface of wing feather dark brown and iridescent dark green. They feed on various type of seeds, nectars and fruits. Male rose coloured starling have (breeding season) elongated head feather which form a wispy crest that is fluffed and more prominent when the bird gets excited; the crest is shorter in winter.
Black areas have paler feather edges, which get worn away as well as the black becoming more glossy in the breeding season. Feathers of the back of the neck form a crest, which although larger in the male, can be erected in both sexes. Females have a short crest than male. Female rosy starling has a duller coloration than the male, while both the adult male and female appear dull outside of the breeding season during the summer…………….
Nesting and breeding season is between May to July. They builds nest in holes and crevices, such as gaps between rocks in scree slopes or abandoned holes made by other species, , occasionally nests are exposed. Nests are made of grass and twigs, with a lining of feathers and finer grass. Eggs 3 to 6, pale blue in color. Incubation period is between 13 to 16 days. Both sexes incubate eggs, after hatching the chicks remain in the nest for about 25 days, fed by both adults………….
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Distinctive Identification
Size between 20 cm. to 22 cm. Weigh between 60 to 90 g., and have a wingspan of 35 to 40 cm. They have pale orange legs, with short and strong pale orange bill. Rose coloured starling have glossy black head, wings and tail.
Rose coloured starling have nape feathers hackled and elongate, forming long erectile crest. Dorsal surface of wing feather dark brown and iridescent dark green.
Male rose coloured starling have (breeding season) elongated head feathers which form a wispy crest that is fluffed and more prominent when the bird gets excited; the crest is shorter in winter.
Black areas have paler feather edges, which get worn away as well as the black becoming more glossy in the breeding season.
Feathers of the back of the neck form a crest, which although larger in the male, can be erected in both sexes. Females have a short crest than male.
Female rosy starling has a duller coloration than the male, while both the adult male and female appear dull outside of the breeding season during the summer.
Classification
Common Name – Rose colored starling / Rosy starling
Zoological Name – Pastor roseus
Kingdom – Animalia
Phylum – Chordata
Class – Aves
Subclass – Neornithes
Order – Passeriformes
Family – Sturnidae
Genus – Pastor
Conservational Status – Schedule – IV, according to wildlife (Protection) act, 1972 and classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.
Distribution
Rose coloured starling prefer steppe like habitats with scattered bushes and trees, including cultivated land, from lowlands to foothills, up to 1500 m, and occasionally in mountains, up to 2000 m.
They found in India, Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Denmark, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand and some other parts of world.
Habit and habitat
Rose coloured starling is a social bird, generally found in large groups, occasionally in small groups or in pairs. They roost with other species such as other starlings, mynas, parakeets and crows.
They found in areas ranging from open country and agricultural land to areas with mature trees. The call is a typical starling mixture of squeaks and rattles, given with much wing trembling.
They feed on various type of seeds, nectars and fruits. They also feed on insects, grasshoppers during the breeding season, particularly locusts and grasshoppers.
Click here to view State wise list of Indian state animals (symbols) – updated
Nesting and breeding season is between May to July. They builds nest in holes and crevices, such as gaps between rocks in scree slopes or abandoned holes made by other species, occasionally nests are exposed. Nests are made of grass and twigs, with a lining of feathers and finer grass.
Eggs 3 to 6, pale blue in color. Incubation period is between 13 to 16 days. Both sexes incubate eggs, after hatching, the chicks remain in the nest for about 25 days, fed by both adults.
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