查看完整版本: Is it a starling?

Is it a starling?

LV, 6Nov15.

The one on the right is White-cheeked Starling, but no idea for the one on the left. The size seems the same as White-cheeked and came and left together. But can't imagine they are related. Pls advise.

Silky Starling

The bird on the left has been captured, dyed and then released back to the wild.  These dyed birds are seen fairly often.

Dylan

Thanks. But why? What kind of benefit they got to do it?

It's a religious thing...people probably like to have more colourful birds for release.

There is a short paper on this phenomenon in BirdingAsia (bulletin of the Oriental Bird Club) Number 22, December 2014 by local birders Dave Stanton & Michael Leven.

The main conclusion seems to be that starlings are dyed by bird-traders to make the birds more colourful and therefore more attractive to buyers.

David

Thanks for the information. Can't imagine how they can dye the bird so thoroughly. But money makes anything possible