The rosy starling (Pastor roseus) is named for its rose-coloured plumage, while its genus name Pastor comes from the Latin word for shepherd, which refers to its habit of feeding alongside livestock – the scientific name translates to rose-coloured shepherd. It is beneficial to farmers because it preys on locusts and grasshoppers which can be pests. Also known as the rose-coloured starling or rose-coloured pastor, it breeds in south-eastern Europe and parts of Asia – Turkey and Ukraine east to Mongolia – occasionally migrating in large numbers to Western and Northern Europe. It nests in colonies, often in rock crevices, cliffs, or even buildings. Juveniles are brown with an orange bill. It winters in India and tropical Asia.
