Discover Shenzhen | The red-billed starling 丝光椋鸟

以下文章来源于ShenzhenDaily ，作者Isaac Cohen

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A red-billed starling is seen in Xiangmi Park in Futian District on May 27. Photos by Isaac Cohen

MEASURING around 23 centimeters in length, the red-billed starling (Spodiopsar sericeus) is an astonishing bird that over time gradually started inhabiting our beautiful city. It is now considered a resident species in Shenzhen.

近来，丝光椋鸟在深圳的种群数量逐渐增加，已经被认定为留鸟。这种椋鸟身长约23厘米，外表十分美丽。

Sexual dimorphism, which is common in birds, is also observed in this medium-sized starling.

和大部分鸟类一样，丝光椋鸟雌雄外表并不相似。

The males have a strikingly white head and a dark grey collar that diffuses into a lighter grey covering the rest of the body. Only the wings and the tail are of a fascinating bluish or purplish color that shines under the sunlight, a total delight to observe. The beak, as its name suggests, is red and in some instances may have a black tip; the legs are yellow or orange.

雄鸟头部丝光白色，身体浅灰色，具深灰色颈环，翅膀及尾部末端呈有金属光泽的深蓝或深紫色；嘴朱红色，部分个体嘴尖沾少许黑色；脚黄色或橙色。

A male and a female red-billed starlings are seen perching on a tree branch in Xiangmi Park.

Females are a bit brownish and the contrast between the head and the body is not as marked as it is in males.

雌鸟头部则为浅棕色，体色不似雄鸟鲜艳。

This species is often seen moving in large flocks and likes foraging in fields of grass in search of insects and worms, but also feeds on fruits from some trees.

丝光椋鸟喜集群，经常在草地上挖掘捕食昆虫及其幼虫，有时也吃树木的果实。

Despite their huge global population, its numbers in Shenzhen are pretty low. Their local population is in a process of initial growth, and the species calls for our protection of their habitats and food sources. This is a great opportunity to show our love for nature and to help with building a home for a new species in Shenzhen.

虽然丝光椋鸟在世界范围内数量众多，但定居深圳的依然只是少数。好在它们本地种群的数量正在不断增长，启示我们要尽快保护它们的栖息地和食物来源。让我们把对自然的满腔热爱付诸行动，来帮助这些迁居深圳的新客人建设它们的美好家园。

About the writer：

关于作者：

Isaac Cohen, a biologist from Colombia, has been recording through his camera lens the beautiful and colorful wildlife in Shenzhen since arriving in town in the summer of 2017.

Isaac Cohen是一位来自哥伦比亚的生物学家，于2017年来到深圳。从那时起，他就开始用手中的相机记录深圳丰富多彩的生物世界。

原标题：《Discover Shenzhen | The red-billed starling 丝光椋鸟》

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