Mountain Starling
Aplonis santovestris
Mountain Starling (Aplonis santovestris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
The Mountain Starling (Aplonis santovestris) is a member of the Sturnidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 68.7 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Sturnidae Starlings, Rhabdornises
- Genus Aplonis
- Species santovestris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 68.7 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Mountain Starling is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Mountain Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Mountain Starling (Aplonis santovestris) belongs to the Sturnidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU montane Santo (nw Vanuatu).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 68.7 g, with a wing length of about 9.7 cm and a tail of around 5.5 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 60 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Mountain Starling?
The Mountain Starling is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 68.7 g.
Where does the Mountain Starling live?
The Mountain Starling is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU montane Santo (nw Vanuatu), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Mountain Starling belong to?
The Mountain Starling (Aplonis santovestris) belongs to the Sturnidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Mountain Starling eat?
The Mountain Starling is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Mountain Starling migrate?
The Mountain Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Mountain Starling endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
How large is the Mountain Starling's range?
The Mountain Starling has a mapped global range of about 60 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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