Papua New Guinea (B) (NB), Solomon Islands (B) (NB).
Islands and atolls in Papua New Guinea (B), Solomon Islands (B).
Population
Estimated population is 1,000 - 2,499 (2010) and stable.
Status NT
Habitat degradation and competition with other starlings appears to be the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Habits
Usually forages in pairs in the canopy.
Food
Frugivorous, bananas and other fruit.
Voice
A loud rising 'wee-ee'. Chatters and whistles.
Atoll Starling (Aplonis feadensis) [XC459268]
by id from Tench, Papua New Guinea (call)
Nest
In holes in old and damaged trees and coconut palms.
Subspecies
Genus name sometimes given as Aplornis. May form a superspecies with Rennell Starling (Aplonis insularis) and formerly considered conspecific, but is structurally and vocally distinct.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
heureka Meise, 1929 - Ninigo Group, Hermit Is and Tench I (St Matthias Group), off north-western and northern Bismarck Archipelago.
feadensis (Ramsay, 1882) - Nissan I and Nuguria Is (east of New Ireland), Mortlocks and Carterets (east of Bougainville), and Ontong Java Atoll (northern Solomon Is).
Similar Species
Singing Starling (Aplonis cantoroides) which has red eyes and is more elongate, with longer tail and more pointed wings, Metallic Starling (Aplonis metallica) which has red eyes and is slimmer with much longer tail, extralimital Rennell Starling (Aplonis insularis) used to be considered conspecific but is structurally and vocally distinct.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet