Pohnpei starling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pohnpei starling |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aplonis
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| Species: |
pelzelni
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The Pohnpei starling (scientific name: Aplonis pelzelni) is a very rare bird, and it might even be extinct. It belongs to the starling family. This bird lived only on the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, which is in the Pacific Ocean. The people of Pohnpei called it "sie" (pronounced see-ah). It was named after an Austrian bird expert, August von Pelzeln.
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What the Pohnpei Starling Looked Like
The Pohnpei starling was about 19 centimeters (about 7.5 inches) long. It was mostly dark in color. Its upper parts were a sooty brown, which means a dark, dull brown. Its head was even darker, with a black forehead and black areas around its eyes (called lores).
The wings, rump (lower back), and tail feathers were a lighter brown. The bird's belly and chest were a brownish-olive color. Its beak and feet were black, and its eyes were brown. Young Pohnpei starlings looked similar to the adults, but their upper feathers were a bit paler brown. Its call sounded like a bell, a shrill "see-ay."
Where the Pohnpei Starling Lived
The Pohnpei starling lived in dark, wet mountain forests. It preferred areas higher than 425 meters (about 1,400 feet) above sea level. However, people also saw it in lower areas sometimes. The last time a Pohnpei starling was seen and collected was in 1994. That bird was found at an altitude of 750 meters (about 2,460 feet).
Pohnpei Starling Habits and Diet
This bird did not migrate, meaning it stayed in the same area all year. It defended its home territory in pairs. The Pohnpei starling looked for food during the day. Its diet included flowers, berries, and seeds from evergreen plants. It also ate insects and maggots (insect larvae). There were some reports that it built its nests in tree holes, but these were never officially confirmed.
Why the Pohnpei Starling Disappeared
The Pohnpei starling was first discovered by a Polish explorer named John Stanislaw Kubary. A German bird expert, Otto Finsch, officially described it in 1876. The very first specimen collected (called a holotype) is now kept at the Museum Naturalis in the Netherlands.
In the early 1930s, this bird seemed to be quite common. Many specimens were collected during a big expedition in 1930 and 1931. After that, sightings became rare. In 1956, an expert named Joe T. Marshall was the last Western scientist to see the bird alive.
For many years, people thought the Pohnpei starling was extinct. In 1990, the IUCN (a group that tracks endangered species) listed it as extinct. However, in 1995, a dead female bird was found. It had been shot by a local guide in 1994. Because of this discovery, the IUCN changed its status to "critically endangered" in 2000. This means it is at very high risk of extinction. Later searches in 2008 had a few possible sightings, but they were not fully confirmed. A seven-day search in 2010 found no Pohnpei starlings at all.
The exact reasons why this bird vanished are not fully known. Here are some ideas:
- Competition: Other bird species might have competed with the Pohnpei starling for food and nesting spots.
- Hunting: People hunting the birds likely played a role.
- Rats: Like many island birds, the Pohnpei starling's nests and eggs were probably eaten by rats.
- Habitat Loss: While some mountain forests were cleared between 1975 and 1995, a large part of the bird's home still remains. So, habitat loss might not have been the main reason for its decline.
