Starling

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Starlings | image = Common starling in london.jpg | image_width = 200px | image_caption = Common Starling | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Passeriformes | familia = Sturnidae | familia_authority = Rafinesque, 1815 | subdivision_ranks = Genera | subdivision = Aplonis
Poeoptera
Grafisia
Onychognathus
Lamprotornis
Cinnyricinclus
Speculipastor
Neochicla
Spreo
Cosmoparus
Sarroglossa
Creatophora
Fregilupus (extinct)
Necropsar (extinct)
Sturnus
Leucopsar
Basilornis
Streptocitta
Sarcops
Scissirostrum

See also Myna, Oxpecker

}}

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. Starlings occur naturally only in the Old World (Europe, Asia and Africa), some forms as far east as Australia, but several European and Asian species have been introduced to North America and Australia.

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 Asian species, particularly the larger ones, are called mynas, and the members of the African genus Lamprotornis are known as glossy starlings because of their iridescent plumage. The two species of Buphagus are called oxpeckers.

Common Starlings introduced to North America have been a factor in reducing native cavity nesting bird populations (such as Bluebirds and Red-headed Woodpeckers) by competing aggressively for nesting cavities.

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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 brunneicapillus
Brown-winged Starling, Aplonis grandis
San Cristobal Starling, Aplonis dichroa
Rusty-winged Starling, Aplonis zelandica
Striated Starling, Aplonis striata
Norfolk Starling, Aplonis fusca Conservation status: Extinct{{#if:{{{when|}}}| (1923) }}
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
Kosrae Starling, Aplonis corvina Conservation status: Extinct{{#if:{{{when|}}}| (1828 to 1880) }}
Mysterious Starling, Aplonis mavornata Conservation status: Extinct{{#if:{{{when|}}}| (1825 to 1950) }}
Rarotonga Starling, Aplonis cinerascens
Huahine Starling, Aplonis diluvialis Template:StatusPrehistoric

The mysterious "Bay Thrush" (Turdus ulietensis) may also belong into Aplonis.

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 mirandus
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
Sri Lanka 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
Bali Myna, Leucopsar rothschildi

- The genus Sturnia 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, Sturnus albofrontatus (treated by some as S. senex)
Brahminy Starling, Sturnus pagodarum
Vinous-breasted Starling, Sturnus burmannicus (treated by some in Gracupica)
Black-collared Starling, Sturnus nigricollis (treated by some in Gracupica)
Asian Pied Starling, Sturnus contra (treated by some in Acridotheres)
Black-winged Starling, Sturnus melanopterus (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
Réunion Starling, Fregilupus varius Conservation status: Extinct{{#if:{{{when|}}}| (1850s) }}
Rodrigues Starling, Necropsar rodericanus Conservation status: Extinct{{#if:{{{when|}}}| (after 1726) }} - the supposed N. leguati was determined to be in reality a mislabelled albino specimen of the Martinique Trembler (Cinclocerthia gutturalis).