We are guessing a dyed Red-billed Starling, Sturnus sericeus, most likely that has escaped or been released. Apparently in parts of China, there is a habit of dying captive starlings red to increase their value. Can anyone confirm this? This bird was quite unusual flying between a tree where is was calling harshly and flying to lotus pads where it was foraging and then repeating flying back and forth from tree to lotus. The colour has confused us quite a bit, but we can see no other alternative, assuming that the beak and feet have kept their original colour.
However, if this is a rare new species, we reserve the right christen it the
Jacana-like Starling for its habit of foraging on lotus leaves ;-)
Location: Huan Hua Xi Park, (Dufu Poet Park) in Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Elevation: 480 m
Habitat: park wetlands
Untitled by
BirdExplorers, on Flickr
Untitled by
BirdExplorers, on Flickr
Untitled by
BirdExplorers, on Flickr
Untitled by
BirdExplorers, on Flickr
Appreciate any comments or confirmation on identification.
Thanks
Kevin
Co-Director
Bird Explorers
Sydney-Bangkok
Phone: +66 2 513 0475
Fax: +66 2 513 0477
Bird Explorers Website:
http://www.birdexplorers.com
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Africa Bird Image Database (AFBID):
http://www.birdexplorers.com/afbid
Email:
hephaestion@surfbirder.com
