DLNR: Bill on bird protection redundant

Citing existing regulations that cover the protection of CNMI’s endemic breeding birds, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources said a proposed initiative which prohibits the hunting, trapping, harassing, disturbing, and interfering with the Micronesian Starling is redundant.

Scientifically named Aplonis opaca, the Micronesian Starling or “Sali” in the Chamorro language, is a bird species that is already being safeguarded under existing Division of Fish and Wildlife Hunting Regulations, said DLNR Secretary Joaquin A. Tenorio.

“These regulations have specific provision that prohibit hunting of starlings. Although we support the intent of this legislation, which is to protect the Micronesian Starling, we find that this legislation is not necessary because it will not provide any additional protection to the species,” said Dr. Tenorio.

The Micronesian Starling is widespread throughout Micronesia and are native to the Pacific Islands. Based on DFW’s description, the Starling is a glossy black, rather chunky, short-tailed bird with distinctive yellow eyes.

On the island of Rota, the bird species have oftentimes been mistaken for the endemic Marianas Crow and the Black Drongo. But the starling is much smaller than the Marianas crow. The latter, however, has brown eyes and not bright yellow eyes.

Micronesian Starlings feed on plants and seeds, wild hot peppers being one of it’s more notorious favorite foods, according to the fish and wildlife.

American Memorial Park’s 30-acre wetland and mangrove forested sanctuary provides excellent environment for starlings, among other native bird and endangered species that dwell in the area.

A Science publication stated that the “Starling Family” comprises 28 genera and between 104 and 118 species, at least three of which are extinct.

Starling or “Mynah” is a geographical classification that speaks of species native to southern and southeastern Asia and the southwest Pacific. The word Mynah is the Hindi term for Starling derived from the Sanskrit “madana” which means joyful or delightful.

Within the Starling family, the word mynah has come to be associated with breed of birds characterized by strong legs, and feet, large beak, rather stocky body shape, non-iridescent feathers, a mostly black or brown color, and sometimes a wattle or a bare face pitch. (MM)