NESTING OF SYMPATRIC REDWINGED AND PALE WINGED STARLINGS

Summary

Craig, A. J. F. K., Hulley, P. E. & Walter, G. H. 1989. Nesting of sympatric Redwinged and Pale-winged Starlings. Ostrich 60:69-74.

Observations were made over four breeding seasons at Cradock, South Africa, where Redwinged Starlings Onychognathus morio and Palewinged Starlings O. nabouroup nest on the same cliffs. Nests were not accessible, and the stage of breeding was determined by the behaviour of the birds. Both species reuse the same nest sites, and only the females incubate, but both sexes feed the young. The timing of breedingMaybe more variable in the Palewinged Starling. A review of the available data on nest site selection and nest construction shows apparent species-specific differences: Redwinged Starlings usually nest on ledges, often on buildings, and use mud in the nest base; Palewinged Starlings favour vertical crevices, and do not use mud.