Brown-winged Starling (Aplonis grandis) [XC32633]
by Niels Krabbe from Mt Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands (call)
Brown-winged Starling (Aplonis grandis) [XC290392]
by Phil Gregory 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.