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.
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
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