Photo: Bruno Geisler / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Moluccan Starling
Aplonis mysolensis
Moluccan Starling (Aplonis mysolensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Moluccan Starling (Aplonis mysolensis) is a member of the Sturnidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 62 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Sturnidae Starlings, Rhabdornises
- Genus Aplonis
- Species mysolensis
Where it lives
Banggai and Sula is. (east of Sulawesi), Morotai to Obi (northern Moluccas), Ambon, Haruku and Saparua (east-central Moluccas) and Raja Ampat Is. (northwest of New Guinea)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 62 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Moluccan Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Moluccan Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Moluccan Starling (Aplonis mysolensis) belongs to the Sturnidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Banggai and Sula is. (e of Sulawesi), Morotai to Obi (n Moluccas), Ambon, Haruku and Saparua (ec Moluccas) and Raja Ampat Is. (nw of New Guinea).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 62 g, with a wing length of about 10.9 cm and a tail of around 9.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 64,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Moluccan Starling?
The Moluccan Starling is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 62 g.
Where does the Moluccan Starling live?
The Moluccan Starling is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Banggai and Sula is. (e of Sulawesi), Morotai to Obi (n Moluccas), Ambon, Haruku and Saparua (ec Moluccas) and Raja Ampat Is. (nw of New Guinea), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Moluccan Starling belong to?
The Moluccan Starling (Aplonis mysolensis) belongs to the Sturnidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Moluccan Starling eat?
The Moluccan Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Moluccan Starling migrate?
The Moluccan Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Moluccan Starling endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Moluccan Starling make?
1 real field recording of the Moluccan Starling — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Moluccan Starling's range?
The Moluccan Starling has a mapped global range of about 64,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Sturnidae
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.