A purebred black-eared blackbird in Victoria – Photo: Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board
Black-eared starlings mainly reside in some green areas in the states of South Australia and Victoria (Australia) and are often sought after by bird of prey enthusiasts.
The distinctive facial features make them look like masked superheroes in cartoons. Their bright yellow-orange beak stands out, contrasting with their light gray plumage.
However, according to Australian scientists, finding a genetically pure black-eared starling is increasingly difficult, even in places like “finding a needle in a haystack”.
An ambitious project funded by the federal government is currently underway to protect the endangered black-eared starling.
Project leader Dr. Wendy Stubbs and her ecological research team explain why they are threatened: The vegetation in the area has changed for agricultural purposes. Dams were built, cattle herds and many bird species “penetrated” into forests where they had rarely appeared before…
As a result, the black-eared starling’s habitat was “fragmented” with many animals such as goats, rabbits, and kangaroos from households. There are also yellow-billed flutes.
Unlike the black-eared starling, the yellow-billed starling has long been accustomed to living with many other species. When black-eared starlings and yellow-billed starlings live closer together, they are more likely to misbreed.
Hybrids of these two species are increasing in significant numbers, leading to a serious decline in pure black-eared starlings.
“Hybrid” black-eared blackbird – Photo: Sandy Horne
Dr Stubbs’ research team will survey 200 of the black-eared sandpiper’s favorite habitats in South Australia and Victoria to collect genetic samples for analysis. From there, the research team will calculate the level of mating that occurs between the two species and come up with a method to identify purebred birds.
In the near future, Dr Stubbs will also be applying the “strategic removal” of important yellow-billed starlings from black-eared starling habitat to reduce the incidence of “mis-befriending” between them. .
“It means we can raise black-eared starlings in our ecosystem,” Dr. Stubbs said.
Japan rediscovers lost bird species
