The mountain starling, also known as Vanuatu starling, Santo mountain starling or Santo starling, is a bird species in the family Sturnidae. It is endemic to the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. It is restricted to cloud forest on that island. The species was seldom seen in the 20th century and was at one point feared extinct, although a 1991 expedition managed to find a population high in the mountains.
Region
Southwest Pacific
Typical Environment
Confined to montane cloud forest on Espiritu Santo, typically in mature, moss-laden forest with dense epiphytes and fruiting trees. It frequents ridgelines, steep slopes, and interior forest but may visit edges when food is abundant. The species is patchily distributed and highly localized within suitable habitat. Human access is difficult, contributing to few records. It avoids lowland and heavily disturbed areas.
Altitude Range
900–1500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The mountain starling is a little-known starling restricted to high-elevation cloud forests on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. It went unseen for decades and was feared extinct until a small population was rediscovered in 1991. Its rugged, remote habitat and elusive behavior make it hard to study, and habitat loss and invasive predators are ongoing concerns for its survival.
Temperament
wary and secretive
Flight Pattern
direct with short, rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly, in pairs, or small family groups within dense montane forest. Likely nests in tree cavities or other protected hollows, as is typical for starlings. Courtship and breeding behaviors are poorly documented due to the species’ rarity and inaccessible habitat.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are described as a mix of thin whistles and harsh, chattering notes delivered from mid to upper canopy. Calls can be intermittent and subdued, aiding its inconspicuous nature.
Plumage
Mostly uniform dark, sooty to blackish plumage with a subtle iridescent sheen in good light; feathers appear smooth and close-fitting.
Diet
An opportunistic omnivore that takes small fruits and berries along with insects and other arthropods. It likely gleans prey from foliage and bark and may sally short distances to catch flying insects. Fruiting native trees and shrubs are an important seasonal resource in the cloud forest. When fruit is scarce, it probably relies more on invertebrates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds primarily in the mid to upper canopy of mature cloud forest, especially at fruiting trees. It also forages along mossy trunks, epiphyte mats, and occasionally at forest edges near ridgelines.
