Medium-sized starling with bristly forehead feathers, and with feathers of crown and, particularly, throat hackled. Plumage is black with strong green iridescence, wing and tail black with some iridescence; iris red or orange; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile differs from adult in having crown and upperparts dark brown with some green gloss, throat hackles pale buff with dark brown shafts, breast and belly feathers dark-centred with buff margins, broader buff area towards vent, brown iris
Not Threatened
Medium-sized starling with bristly forehead feathers, and with feathers of crown and, particularly, throat hackled. Plumage is black with strong green iridescence, wing and tail black with some iridescence; iris red or orange; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile differs from adult in having crown and upperparts dark brown with some green gloss, throat hackles pale buff with dark brown shafts, breast and belly feathers dark-centred with buff margins, broader buff area towards vent, brown iris.
18 cm; 50-62 g
Taxonomy: Calornis cantoroides G. R. Gray, 1862, Misool, West Papuan Islands. Genus name sometimes given as Aplornis (see page 659). May form a superspecies with A. crassa. Monotypic. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Distribution:
- West Papuan Is, New Guinea and some satellite islands, Aru Is, Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Is.
In New Guinea found in wide range of natural and modified habitats, including urban areas; mainly in lowlands, up to 1700 m in mountain valleys. Primarily in forest on some islands.
Fruit, also insects. Fruits taken include figs, fruit from forest palms, papaya, and bird's-eye chilli. Hawks flying insects. Forages in pairs and small flocks, immatures also in large flocks; often feeds in association with A. metallica.
Determination of season difficult owing to presence of individuals around nesting areas through much of year; recorded Sept-Feb in New Guinea (Sept—Dec around Port Moresby), and in Mar and Aug on smaller islands. Presumed monogamous. Sometimes breeds colonially. Nest in hole, usually in dead or living tree, sometimes in cliff, coral rock, or building or other man-made structure, lining material includes grass and plant fibres; sometimes occupies same trees as those used by A. metallica. Clutch 2-3 eggs, pale blue, spotted with brown and violet. No other information.