The characteristic elongated throat and nape feathers give this bird a disheveled appearance. This is
an adult male (top). Females are duller (bottom). This colonial species is famous for brood parasitism in which
females may lay eggs in nests of other females. Existing eggs are not removed resulting in some very large clutches.
This species was formerly called the "Grey Starling." It and the Red-billed Starling of China have been
moved from Sturna into the genus Spodiopsar based on molecular findings by Loveette et al.
and Zuccon et al. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS.References:
Craig, A. & Feare, C. (2017). White-cheeked Starling (Spodiopsar cineraceus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/60854 on 3 June 2017).
Lovette, I.J., B.V. McCleery, A.L. Talaba & D.R. Rubenstein. (2008). A complete species-level molecular phylogeny for the Eurasian starlings (Sturnidae: Sturnus, Acridotheres, and allies): recent diversification in a highly social and dispersive avian group. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 47:251-260.
Zuccon, D., E. Pasquet & P.G.P. Ericson. (2008). Phylogenetic relationships among Palearctic-Oriental starlings and mynas (genera Sturnus and Acridotheres: Sturnidae). Zoologica Scripta 37:469-481.