Editing Starling (section)

==Description==
[[File:Starling (5503763150).jpg|thumb|The [[common starling]] (''Sturnus vulgaris'') has [[iridescent]] [[plumage]].]]
Starlings are medium-sized [[passerines]].<ref name="HBW">{{cite book |last1=Craig |first1=Adrian |last2=Feare |first2=Chris |editor1=del Hoyo, Josep |editor2=Elliott, Andrew |editor3=Christie, David |contribution=Family Sturnidae (Starlings) |title=Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows |pages=654–709 |year=2009 |location=Barcelona |publisher=Lynx Edicions |isbn=978-84-96553-50-7 |title-link=Handbook of the Birds of the World}}</ref> The shortest-bodied species is [[Kenrick's starling]] (''Poeoptera kenricki''), at {{cvt|15|cm|in|frac=2|abbr=on}}, but the lightest-weight species is [[Abbott's starling]] (''Poeoptera femoralis''), which is {{cvt|34|g|oz|frac=8|abbr=on}}. The largest starling, going on standard measurements and perhaps weight, is the [[Nias hill myna]] (''Gracula robusta''). This species can measure up to {{cvt|36|cm|in|frac=2|abbr=on}}, and in domestication they can weigh up to {{cvt|400|g|oz|frac=2|abbr=on}}. Rivaling the prior species in bulk if not dimensions, the [[myna]]s of the genus ''[[Mino (bird)|Mino]]'' are also large, especially the [[yellow-faced myna|yellow-faced]] (''M. dumontii'') and [[long-tailed myna]]s (''M. kreffti''). The longest species in the family is the [[white-necked myna]] (''Streptocitta albicollis''), which can measure up to {{cvt|50|cm|in|frac=2|abbr=on}}, although around 60% in this [[magpie]]-like species is comprised by its very long tail.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Feare |first1=Chris |last2=Craig |first2=Adrian |year=1998 |title=Starlings and Mynas |series=Helm Identification Guide |location=London |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=978-0713639612}}</ref>

Less sexual dimorphism is seen in [[plumage]], but with only 25 species showing such differences between the two sexes. The plumage of the starling is often brightly coloured due to [[iridescence]]; this colour is derived from the structure of the feathers, not from any pigment. Some species of Asian starling have [[Crest (feathers)|crests]] or erectile feathers on the crest. Other ornamentation includes elongated tail feathers and brightly coloured bare areas on the face. These colours can be derived from pigments, or as in the [[Bali myna]], structural colour, caused by light scattering off parallel collagen fibers. The irises of many species are red and yellow, although those of younger birds are much darker.<ref name="HBW" />