About Aplonis opaca (Kittlitz, 1833)
The Micronesian starling, with the scientific name Aplonis opaca (Kittlitz, 1833), is a starling species that belongs to the family Sturnidae. This species is distributed across Micronesia, ranging from the Northern Mariana Islands to Palau, and extending throughout eastern Micronesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. It is the only native frugivore that currently exists on Guam. Micronesian starlings behave boldly around humans. They will follow humans who approach seabird colonies, and take seabird eggs after the seabirds are scared away by the humans. In the Chamorro language, this species is called såli, and in the Yapese language it is called gapl'uw; other indigenous names for the starling may exist in other regions of Micronesia. Micronesian starlings breed throughout the entire year. Both parent birds participate in caring for their young, and they build their nests inside cavities. These starlings show significant levels of aggression when defending their nests, and this aggression is especially pronounced when defending older nestlings.
