Size	Approximately 9 inches in length
Weight	Approximately 2 ounces
Conservation Status
Diet	In the wild, metallic starlings feed mainly on fruit and insects. At the Zoo, the base diet for the starlings is a commercial fruit based pellet manufactured specifically for fruit eating birds. The enrichment portion of the diet includes a variety of fruit and insects.
Geographic Range	Widespread in a variety of habitats, from rainforest to coastal woodland, on New Guinea and off-shore islands.
Where to find me in the Zoo	McNeil Avian Center

This small starling may look similar to our common European starling at first glance but a closer look reveals shining, metallic highlights reflecting in the sun.  Their bright red eyes contrast with the black plumage.  Males and females look alike but immature birds have brown streaks on a mainly white breast.  Because they live and feed in large colonies, they are an important seed disperser for many of the tropical fruit trees on which they feed.

Longevity

Unknown

Behavior

These gregarious birds flock year-round and nest in colonies.  They often form fast moving flocks that fly, swooping through the treetops.

Reproduction

The metallic starling breeds in large colonies, building their woven nests in tall trees.  A single colony has been known to house as many as 400 nests.  In these nests, the female lays 1 to 3 pale blue eggs.