Memorandum to:         The Director of Birds Australia

 

From:                          Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)

 

Date:                            15th January 2007

 

Voting Members:         Mike Carter                   Andrew Silcocks

                                    Rohan Clarke                 Glenn Holmes

                                    John Hatch                    Jamie Matthew

                                    Tony Palliser                 Danny Rogers

                       

cc.                                Ron Johnstone  

 

 

Submission No 474: Rosy (Rose-Coloured) Starling Sturnus roseus, West Island, Cocos-Keeling Islands, 30th November 2005 – 1st December 2005. Submitted by: Don Hadden

 

 

Verdict:  Accepted

 

 

This submission relates to the  occurrence of a Rosy Starling  Sturnus roseus on West Island, Cocos-Keeling Islands on the 30th November & 1st December 2005.

 

As the observer is colour-blind efforts were made to photograph the bird rather than take notes, hence this submission relies heavily on photographic evidence and the assistance of a number of experts. The bird was initially glimpsed and thought to be a starling on the 30th November 2005 and then relocated on the 1st December 2005.

 

Given the typical Sturnus jizz and overall dull plumage characters there is only one real confusion species to eliminate in this part of the world, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris. That species is quickly eliminated because the photograph reveals a pale rump typical of roseus in immature  plumage and a stubby yellow-tinged bill. The streaky-breast and lack of white tail-tips and markings in the wing rule out other potential Asian alternatives. The bird appears to be a juvenile moulting into first basic plumage.

 

Seven out of eight committee members voted in favour of acceptance, confirming this as the second record for Australia, following an adult seen and photographed near Broome, WA on the 3rd September 2004 (BARC Case No. 437).

 

 

 

Selected Bibliography:

 

·         Ali, S. & Ripley, S.D. (1983), A Pictorial Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

·         Beaman, M. & Madge, S. (1998) The Handbook of Bird Identification for Europe and the Western Palearctic, Princeton University Press, New Jersey.

·         Cramp, S. & Perrins, C.M., (eds.) (1992), The Birds of the Western Palearctic, Vol. VIII, Crows to Finches, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

·         Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C. & Inskipp, T. (1998), Birds of the Indian Subcontinent, Christopher Helm, London.

·         Jonsson, L. (2003), Birds of Europe with North Africa & the Middle East, Christopher Helm, London.

·         Lewington, I., Alstrom, P. & Colston, P. (1991), A Field Guide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe, HarperCollins, London.

·         MacKinnon, J. & Phillipps, K. (1993), A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

·         Mullarney, K., Svensson, L., Zetterstrom, D. & Grant, P.J. (1999) Collins Bird Guide, HarperCollinsPublishers, London.

·         Robson, C. (2000), A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia, New Holland, London.

 

 

Tony Palliser

Chairman, Birds Australia Rarities Committee