Photo: Duncan Wright / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Polynesian Starling
Aplonis tabuensis
Polynesian Starling (Aplonis tabuensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Oceans & Seabirds.
The Polynesian Starling (Aplonis tabuensis) is a member of the Sturnidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 62.5 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 tabuensis
Where it lives
Southeastern Melanesia in Temotu (=Santa Cruz, southeastern Solomon Is.) through southern Polynesia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 62.5 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Polynesian Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Polynesian Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Polynesian Starling (Aplonis tabuensis) belongs to the Sturnidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO se Melanesia in Temotu (=Santa Cruz, se Solomon Is.) through s Polynesia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 62.5 g, with a wing length of about 9.9 cm and a tail of around 6.2 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 23,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Polynesian Starling?
The Polynesian Starling is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 62.5 g.
Where does the Polynesian Starling live?
The Polynesian Starling is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO se Melanesia in Temotu (=Santa Cruz, se Solomon Is.) through s Polynesia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Polynesian Starling belong to?
The Polynesian Starling (Aplonis tabuensis) belongs to the Sturnidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Polynesian Starling eat?
The Polynesian Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Polynesian Starling migrate?
The Polynesian Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Polynesian 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 Polynesian Starling make?
1 real field recording of the Polynesian Starling — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Polynesian Starling's range?
The Polynesian Starling has a mapped global range of about 23,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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