This is a golden breasted starling at the LA Zoo. They have a whole cage full of these things, half of them hanging upside down like bats showing off their bright yellow chests.
Lunchtime Photo
9 thoughts on “Lunchtime Photo”
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Cats, charts, and politics
well, if it isn't another noisy jailbird up for discussion
Interesting. Are these the ones brought from Europe because they are so beautiful? They are not the ones we have around here which are colourless, ugly, noisy, and dirty.
There are many, many species of starlings, and most of them are quite colorful. The Greater Blue-eared Starling (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_blue-eared_starling) is one of my favorites.
However, as I noted in another comment, this bird is a weaver, not a starling. Most weavers are at least partly yellow, with varying amounts of red, brown, and/or black.
Given how starlings can be discouraged, if not deterred, from eating at feeders by using those capped at the top, it is surprising to learn that these seem to enjoy just hanging there. One online comment suggested that (some) birds are inclined to do this when especially comfortable or "happy" (!) No link provided - just some random answers on reddit or quora, as I recall.
The Golden-breasted Starling (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden-breasted_starling) is indeed a striking bird. However, the bird in your photos is not a Golden-breasted Starling. In fact, it is not a starling at all, but rather a Golden-backed Weaver (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden-backed_weaver). The second photo is the giveaway: that's a classic weaver courtship display pose.
The LA Zoo's web site refers to the birds as Black-headed Weavers, but the red eyes and dark (rather than yellow) nape indicate that they are actually Golden-backed Weavers. In any case, the genus Ploceus is a bit of a mess and in serious need of revision to better delineate the species boundaries.
Take that, Kevin!! You are better off sticking to cats.
Of course, you could always photoshop it into a golden breasted starling….
Should have known to wait for your expertise or have done a search myself!
But Kevin Drum has staked out his photographic specialty pretty well..
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