China's Ancient History of Training Pink Starlings to Control Locusts
Rosy Starling (scientific name: Sturnus roseus): Medium-sized, adult body length 19-22cm, weight 60-73g, flight feathers and tail feathers are bright black, female birds are similar in color to male birds but darker. Resembles the Wagtail but with pink on its back and belly, hence the name Rosy Starling. Remainder of feathers are brownish-black, very cute. Female birds have similar markings but are darker. Black iris; beak brownish-pink; feet brownish-pink. When flying, it emits a Ki-ki-ki sound, and also a flat shrr sound. Birds gather when eating and emit a chik-ik-ik-ik sound.
It is a migratory bird that lives in large flocks in arid open areas. It follows livestock to prey on startled insects. Its main food is locusts, and it consumes a huge amount, eating 120-180 locusts per day, making it a major locust exterminator. In winter, it resides in Eastern Europe and Western Central Asia, and migrates to Western Xinjiang, China, to breed in May.
