Adult © Pam Rasmussen
Juvenile © Peter Kaestner
Adult © Gil Ewing
Adult © Charles Davies

Tanimbar Starling Aplonis crassa

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Identification

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A uniformly blackish starling with a medium-length square tail and a dark eye. Juveniles browner, with streaking below and a rufous-tinged tail. Occurs in the canopy of forest edges, wooded areas, and mangroves, where it is usually encountered in pairs or small groups. Confined to the Tanimbar Islands. Noticeably shorter-tailed than Metallic Starling, with less colorful plumage gloss and a dark eye. Calls include a harsh, metallic “brrrrrit” and a disyllabic “tzewit.”

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