Board logo

Subject: [Hong Kong] Is it a starling? [Print This Page]

Author: samchang    Time: 6/11/2015 16:11     Subject: 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.

Image Attachment: AF3A1950.jpg (6/11/2015 16:11, 84.42 KB) / Download count 354
http://hkbws.org.hk/BBS/attachment.php?aid=23683


Author: lchunfai    Time: 6/11/2015 16:46

Silky Starling
Author: subbuteo    Time: 6/11/2015 17:07

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

Dylan
Author: samchang    Time: 6/11/2015 17:30

Thanks. But why? What kind of benefit they got to do it?
Author: kmatthew    Time: 6/11/2015 18:24

It's a religious thing...people probably like to have more colourful birds for release.
Author: ddavid    Time: 6/11/2015 20:18

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
Author: samchang    Time: 6/11/2015 23:14

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




Welcome to HKBWS Forum 香港觀鳥會討論區 (http://hkbws.org.hk/BBS/) Powered by Discuz! 6.0.0