Mauritius starling (SciiFii)

The Mauritius starling (Cryptopsar ischyrhynchus) is a species of starling that is endemic to the Mascarene island of Mauritius. Its closest relatives are the Rodrigues starling and the hoopoe starling from nearby islands; all three appear to be of Southeast Asian origin. The Mauritius starling is around 25–30 centimetres (10–12 inches) long, and has a stout beak. It has a white body, partially black wings and tail, and an orange bill and legs. Little is known about its behaviour. Its diet primarily includes eggs and dead tortoises, which it processes with its strong bill, although it can occasionally feed on seeds. The conservation status of the Mauritius starling is Vulnerable due to some habitat loss, as well as historic human hunting and invasive predators such as rats, however, thanks to the conservationists, the invasive predators have been eradicated and the Mauritius starling is a protected species.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii