Biometrics and sex identification of the rose-coloured starling Sturnus roseus

Abstract

Biometric and plumage data on breeding Rose-coloured Starlings Sturnus roseus showed that the species is partially sexually dimorphic in size and plumage colour. Both sexes develop a brood patch, although it is most frequently found in females. Although males are generally more intensely coloured than females, there is much age-related overlap in colouration which makes sexing difficult. A discriminant equation based on wing and tarsus lengths was produced to provide an additional tool for sex classification. © 2005 British Trust for Ornithology.