White-cheeked starling or grey starling
(Sáo đá má trắng, Spodiopsar cineraceus)
formerly placed in the genus Sturnus.
The white-cheeked starling or grey starling (Spodiopsar cineraceus) is a passerine bird of the starling family.
The breeding range covers central and north-east China, Korea, Japan and south-east Siberia.
In winter, birds from colder regions migrate south to southern and eastern China, South Korea, southern Japan, Taiwan and northern Vietnam with vagrants venturing further to the Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar.
Traits:
- Streaked-cheeked: white cheeks with dark grey streaks;
- Yellow-billed;
- Yellow-legged;
The genus name Spodiopsar combines the Ancient Greek spodios meaning "ash-coloured" and psar meaning "starling".
cineraceus: Latin for ashy color.