Black-Collared Starling (Gracupica nigricollis) lives in subtropical or tropical dry forests across Brunei, Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Black-Collared Starling
- At just 26-30 cm long, the black-collared starling fits on a ruler like a small ruler-blade, yet its bold black-and-white tuxedo makes it stand out in any crowd. Its head shines white with a bright yellow eye-patch, a stark black collar wraps the neck, and dark brown wings look almost black from a distance. Both sexes share this striking look, so you never need to guess who's male or female. This compact size lets it dart through grasslands and city streets alike, hunting insects and seeds on the ground.
- Pairs lock eyes and begin a two-part courtship dance: first they face each other, ruffle feathers and open beaks, then they drop their wings and bow their heads while chasing one another in the air. After the show, they build a large, domed nest of twigs, grasses, feathers and flowers, often re-using it year after year. Each clutch holds three to five eggs, and the breeding window shifts by region, February to May in Thailand, March to July in China, and April to August in Burma.
- On the ground, this starling acts like a tiny farmer, scratching for insects, earthworms and seeds. Its voice is a chaotic orchestra: a jay-like kraak kraak, a bee-eater-like whistling prrü, and a hesitant pü-pü-pü-pü that sounds like a nervous babbler. It puffs its chest and belts out its song at full volume.
- While many forest birds shrink as trees disappear, the black-collared starling thrives when forests are cleared, expanding its range into open fields and towns. Deforestation has actually boosted its numbers, and the population appears to be increasing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature therefore lists it as Least Concern, meaning it faces no immediate threat and can continue to brighten both rural and urban skies for years to come.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeBrunei, Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
HabitatSubtropical or tropical dry forests
DietInsects and fruit
About the Black-Collared Starling
In the lush, vibrant landscapes of its native habitats, the Black-Collared Starling dances through the air with effortless elegance, its iridescent feathers glimmering like polished onyx as it pursues the abundant insect life that sustains it. With a fluid, almost ethereal quality to its movements, this bird navigates the dense undergrowth with a quiet confidence, its sharp, inquisitive gaze ever-vigilant for the next unsuspecting morsel. As it alights upon a sun-drenched branch, the starling's sleek, black plumage seems to drink in the light, radiating a subtle, mysterious allure that is at once captivating and humbling.
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