Appearance:

Adults at close range unmistakable with their striking pink and shiny black plumage and crest. In flight note the pale back in contrast to the black head and wings. Head profile quite different from Starling. Bill considerably shorter and slightly down-curved. Forehead flatter and head more rounded when crest is not erect. Immature birds more anonymous, with brownish upperparts, pale belly and darker brown wings with pale fringed coverts and flight feathers. Bill yellowish with darker tip and legs flesh coloured. Very gregarious and immature vagrants usually seeks company with European Starling. Then easily spotted as a much paler bird. Especially the rump stands out in flight. European Starling sometimes show pale plumage but can then be identified by bill shape. Forages with less rapid head movements than ES.

Sound:

Starling-like timbre, higher pitched and not so harsh as E. Starling. At the same time less musical with few pure notes. Song consist mostly of short and sharp "veet" and various thin, noisy whistles, delivered in accelerating bursts reminiscent of Barn Swallow or E. Starling. Often perceived more like a constant din from roosting flocks.

Song:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Thijs Fijen, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Largely unmistakable where other species of starlings don't occur. Shiny, glossy black/dark-green plumage, speckled with white dots. Yellow bill, and pinkish legs. Juveniles brownish with light throat. As they age, winter plumage breaks through the juvenile feathers, creating large dark patches with white spots. These birds frequently puzzles new birders as they are commonly seen, but often not listed in bird guides. Starlings are easily recognized on the ground by their walking gait. Flight profile also characteristic with short sharp-cornered tail and short pointed wings. May be mistaken for a Waxwing when seen in silhouette.

Sound:

Among the best of imitators. Mimics birds, animals and mechanical noises. Song a highly varied mix of falling whistles, bill-clappering and various masterful mimicry. Often makes several sounds at the same time. Other calls; a harsh "chaee" and a short sharp "tink".

Song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC