13 Mayıs 2013 Pazartesi

American Samoa Territorial Bird

American Samoa Territorial Bird

Samoan Starling (common name) 
Aplonis atrifusca 
(scientific name)

Overview

The Samoan starling is a large, dark brown bird with a long bill. Male and female birds are similar in appearance. The primary diet of these birds is a variety of nectars, fruit (guava, mamala, nonu, lau pata, mati figs), insects, caterpillars, and lizards. Samoan starlings search for food through open-bill probing, which involves using the bill to dig into dense vegetation. They build nests on the hollows of trees, especially coconut trunks, as well as telephone poles and the tops of coconut trees. The starlings produce various whistles and other calls. While the territory has no official bird, this starling is found only in American Samoa and the nation of Samoa and is thus a good representative of the region.

Close-up

STATUS
Unofficial
ALSO KNOWN AS
Mocker, American nightingale
PHYSICAL DETAILS
  MaleFemale
 SizeLength to end of tail: 12 in (30 cm)
Wing from flexure: 12.6 in (32 cm)
Length to end of tail: 12 in (30 cm)
Wing from flexure: 12.6 in (32 cm)
BEHAVIOR
Samoan starlings are gregarious birds that assemble and live in flocks.
HABITAT
Tropical moist lowland forests, plantations, and small villages on volcanic islands.
Range: American Samoa and Samoa
Migration
: non-migratory
Conservation Status
: Least Concern (LC)
NESTING
Nesting Period: Year-round
Egg Description:
 Pale blue
SIMILAR SPECIES
Polynesian starling (miti vao), Rarotonga starling
TRIVIA
  • Samoans refer to the bird as fuia. Farmers find fuia to be very useful since the birds get rid of agricultural pests on the farm.
  • Samoan starlings have been featured on many Samoan stamps.

Click to enlarge an image
State Bird
Stamp Featuring Samoan Starling

CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family:Sturnidae
Genus:Aplonis
Species:A. atrifusca

Author: World Trade Press


Hiç yorum yok:

Yorum Gönder