The Black-collared Starling is a striking member of the starling family (Sturnidae). While it is native to Southern China (from Fujian to Yunnan) and much of mainland Southeast Asia—including Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand—it has also been successfully introduced to Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Its plumage is a bold combination of black and white, defined by a namesake black collar that circles its neck.
These birds thrive in a variety of environments, including grasslands, dry forests, cultivated fields, and human settlements. Although they have adapted well to human habitats, they remain highly wary and cautious. They are typically seen in pairs year-round, though they may also form small groups.
Black-collared Starlings are omnivorous and primarily forage on the ground. Their diet consists of a wide range of insects, earthworms, and seeds. Because they frequently feed in cultivated areas, they are often considered a pest in regions where they consume significant amounts of crops.
This species is known for being exceptionally vocal. They possess a wide repertoire of loud, musical whistles and complex calls that can be heard from a great distance, making them one of the most audible birds in their neighborhood.
烏領椋鳥是椋鳥科（Sturnidae）中引人注目的一員。又名黑領椋鳥，俗名黑脖八哥、白頭椋鳥。它分佈於中國南方（福建至雲南）以及東南亞大陸的大部分地區，包括緬甸、寮國、柬埔寨、越南和泰國，但也已成功引進台灣、馬來西亞和新加坡。
它的羽毛是黑白相間的醒目組合，頸部環繞著標誌性的黑色項圈。
這些鳥類在多種環境中都能繁衍生息，包括草原、旱生林、耕地和人類居住區。儘管它們已經很好地適應了人類棲息地，但仍然保持著高度的警戒性。它們通常終年成對活動，也會結小群。
烏領椋鳥是雜食性鳥類，主要在地面覓食。它們的食物包括各種昆蟲、蚯蚓和種子。由於它們經常在耕地覓食，因此會吃掉農作物，它們往往被視為害鳥。
這種鳥以鳴叫聲特別響亮而聞名。它們有種類繁多的響亮、悅耳的哨聲和複雜的叫聲，這些聲音在很遠的地方都能聽到，使它們成為附近最容易被聽到的鳥類之一。
Photo Date: 2023.05.07 Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Photo Date: 2024.05.10 Location: Taipei, Taiwan 國父紀念館
Notes 筆記
- The black-collared starling is 26–30 cm (10–12 in) long. The head is white, with a yellow patch of bare skin around the eye, and a black collar around the neck. The male and female are alike. The juvenile bird is browner and has a streaked neck and breast; it also has an eye-patch but not a collar.
- This starling lives in grassland, dry forest, cultivated areas and human settlements, mostly occurring at low elevations, but also up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).
- This starling forages on the ground, sometimes around livestock. It feeds on insects, earthworms and seeds. Black-collared starlings are considered a pest because they eat crops.
- It is a very vocal bird.
- The breeding season has been recorded as February to May in Thailand, March to July in China, and April to August in Burma. The large, domed nest is constructed from twigs, grasses, feathers and flowers. It is built on a tree, and may be re-used. Nesting colonies have been observed. Three to five eggs are laid per clutch.
- 烏領椋鳥身長 26-30 公分（10-12 英吋）。白色的頭，眼睛周圍有一塊黃色皮膚，脖子上有一個黑色的色圈。雌雄都長得很像。雛鳥是棕色的，頸部和胸部有條紋。它還有一個眼圈，但沒有項圈。
- 這種椋鳥生活在草原、乾燥森林、耕地和人類住區，大多出現在低海拔地區，但也有高達 2,000 公尺（6,600 英尺）的地方。
- 這種椋鳥在地面上覓食，有時會在家禽家畜周圍覓食。它以昆蟲、蚯蚓和種子為食。由於黑領椋鳥會吃掉農作物，所以被認為是一種害鳥。
- 這是一種很愛叫的鳥。
- 根據紀錄，泰國的繁殖季節為二月至五月，中國的繁殖季節為三月至七月，緬甸的繁殖季節為四月至八月。大的圓頂巢穴是用樹枝、草、羽毛和花朵建造的。它建在樹上，並且可以重複使用。已觀察到築巢群體。每窩產三到五顆蛋。
References 參考資料
- Wikipedia: Black-collared starling
- 維基百科: 烏領椋鳥
Birds Posts 鳥的帖子
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