Black-collared starlings delight fellow residents on the waterfront

^{Black-collared starling Photo: eBird}

As a resident of Sai Kung you share the territory with the black-collared starling (Gracupica nigricollis). Exercise on the waterfront and you will likely see this chatty, pretty bird. The back-collared starling is not as common as the crested mynah, but as a resident it is always here somewhere.

On the waterfront you will see the starling foraging in the grass, looking for insects, worms and seeds. This bird is up to 12ins long with a white head, yellow patch around the eye and black collar around its neck. The back and wings are dark brown, almost black. Juveniles appear more brown. The underparts are white with a grey-brown tinge. The tail and most of the feathers are tipped white.

^{Photo: HKWBS}

These starlings have a lot to say: A jay-like kraak-kraak, whistling pruu and pu pu pu. The song can be transcribed as tcheeuw-tchew-trieuw. Their courtship is elaborate, mannered. Each bird droops its wings and lowers its head. Facing each other feathers are ruffled and beaks open. They preen each other. Then they may run or fly off together.

The birds are indigenous to south China. Now the breeding season is coming to an end, which is why we see juvenile starlings, with their lighter, browner colouring. Nests are constructed from twigs, grass, feather and flowers, usually built in a tree. Three to five eggs are laid per clutch.

As the black-collared starling likes grassland — as you see on the waterfront — deforestation has benefited the species. They are a lucky species, believed to be in no danger.

“A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song” — Maya Angelou