The Micronesian starling (Aplonis opaca) is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in Micronesia, from the Northern Mariana Islands to Palau and all the way into eastern Micronesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. It is the only native frugivore existing on Guam.[2]
| Micronesian starling | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Sturnidae |
| Genus: | Aplonis |
| Species: | A. opaca
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| Binomial name | |
| Aplonis opaca (Kittlitz, 1833)
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Micronesian starlings are bold around humans and will follow humans as they approach seabird colonies to take the eggs as the seabirds are scared away. They are known as såli in Chamorro[3] and gapl'uw in Yapese; other indigenous names may also exist across Micronesia.
Micronesian starlings breed year-round.[4] Both parents care for their young, nesting in cavities.[4] They demonstrate significant aggression when defending nests, especially for older nestlings.[4]
Diet
editMicronesian starlings consume fruit, seeds, the occasional insect and the eggs of seabirds.[5] The majority of plants they eat fruit from are native to the islands they inhabit.[3] They are a key seed disperser in Mariana Islands forests.[3]
Their diet seems to be consistent year-round.[3] Nestlings, juveniles, and adults have similar diets, with the exception of papayas, which are eaten by adults and juveniles but rarely by nestlings.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Aplonis opaca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22710519A94249379. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22710519A94249379.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Thierry, Hugo; Rogers, Haldre (2020-03-04). "Where to rewild? A conceptual framework to spatially optimize ecological function". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 287 (1922): 20193017. doi:10.1098/rspb.2019.3017. ISSN 0962-8452. PMC 7126074.
- ^ a b c d e Pollock, Henry S.; Fricke, Evan C.; Rehm, Evan M.; Kastner, Martin; Suckow, Nicole; Savidge, Julie A.; Rogers, Haldre S. (2020-01-17). "Såli (Micronesian starling –Aplonis opaca) as a key seed dispersal agent across a tropical archipelago". Journal of Tropical Ecology. 36 (2): 56–64. doi:10.1017/s0266467419000361. ISSN 0266-4674.
- ^ a b c Jenkins, J. Mark (January 1983). "The Native Forest Birds of Guam". Ornithological Monographs (31): ii–61. doi:10.2307/40166770.
- ^ JD Reichel; PO Glass (1990). "Micronesian Starling Predation on Seabird Eggs" (PDF). Emu. 90 (2): 135–136. doi:10.1071/MU9900135.
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