Micronesian Starling

Aplonis circumscripta

Micronesian Starling, Aplonis circumscripta, is a starling of the Tanimbar Islands, including Larat and Kirimoen, and Damar Island. It is sometimes treated as a separate species. Adults have brilliant red eyes, a long forked tail and black plumage with a green sheen. Young birds are paler underneath and marked with dark streaks. It is a highly social bird, and groups breed in tall rainforest trees in untidy hanging nests. Its movements are very swift, and a sudden disturbance sends a flock up together before it settles back again.