Brown-winged Starling (Aplonis grandis) [XC32635]
by Todd Mark from Mt Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands (call, call (rising 'wheap', high-pitched call also this species?))
Brown-winged Starling (Aplonis grandis) [XC290391]
by Frank Lambert from Chupukama Ridge Guadalcanal 1320m, Solomon Islands (call)
Subspecies
Genus name sometimes given as Aplornis. May form a superspecies with Makira Starling (Aplonis dichroa) and formerly regarded as conspecific, but differs in size, morphology and plumage. Subspecies malaitae may constitute a separate species, differing in morphology (smaller size, shorter tail, slimmer structure), white (or very pale blue) iris, distinct green gloss on head and body, shorter neck hackles, and apparently voice (some territorial calls). Further study is required.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
grandis (Salvadori, 1881) - Bougainville, and Choiseul, Santa Isabel, New Georgia Group and Florida Is, in northern and central Solomon Is.
malaitae Mayr, 1931 - Malaita, in eastern Solomons.
macrura Mayr, 1931 - Guadalcanal, in south-eastern Solomons.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet