wgeoff 27/03/2007 16:54
Purple-backed Starling
I think this is a female Purple-backed Starling, on Po Toi today, Tuesday 27th March
[img]http://www.geoffwelch46.com/PBSTAR1.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.geoffwelch46.com/PBSTAR2.jpg[/img]
[[i] Last edited by wgeoff at 21/09/2010 18:26 [/i]]
kmike 27/03/2007 17:56
Hi geoff
According to the Avifauna Purple backed is extremely rare in Spring, with very few records, and Chestnut-cheeked is alo rare, while White-shouldered is the more likely.
However the dark eye separates from White-shouldered and the extent of white on the wing looks to be too much for Chestnut-cheeked Starling.
In my opinion (and I quite happy to be corrected) this is indeed a Purple-backed Starling.
A nice record!
Cheers
Mike K
wgeoff 27/03/2007 20:49
Thanks for the confirmation Mike.
It was enjoying the free fruit available on many of the gravesites on Po Toi this week.