Rose-Coloured Starling – Pastor roseus – Original Hand-Coloured Lithograph

Engraver: John Gerrard Keulemans
Publisher: L’Imprimerie Nationale
Price: £65
Publication Date: Not dated but c.1876
Format: Original hand-coloured lithograph
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: Sheet Size: 32.5cm x 25cm

Condition:

Original hand-coloured lithograph. Minor age-toning to the margins. In very good indeed, clean condition overall. A rare plate from this important work.

Location: Map Drawer B: FS: Folder JGK 001866

Rose-Coloured Starling: A Brief Description

The rose-coloured starling (Pastor roseus), also known as the rosy starling, is a strikingly beautiful bird with distinctive plumage and interesting migratory behaviour. Below is a detailed description of this species:

Appearance:

• Size: The rose-coloured starling is medium-sized, measuring about 19–22 cm in length, with a wingspan of 34–39 cm. It is similar in size to the more common European starling.
• Plumage: The adult rose-coloured starling in breeding plumage is quite distinctive. The head, wings, and tail are glossy black with a greenish or purplish sheen, while the rest of the body is pale pink or rose-coloured. This striking combination of black and pink makes it easily identifiable. Outside of the breeding season, the plumage becomes more subdued, with brownish tones replacing the vivid pink. Juvenile birds are mostly pale brown with a more mottled appearance.
• Bill and Legs: The bill is pale and slightly curved, and the legs are pinkish, which contrasts with the darker body parts.

Habitat:

• Breeding Habitat: The rose-coloured starling breeds in the steppes and semi-desert regions of central Asia, eastern Europe, and parts of the Middle East. It prefers open, dry landscapes with rocky areas and sparse vegetation, often nesting in large colonies on cliffs, quarries, and other rocky sites.
• Winter Habitat: During the winter, the rose-coloured starling migrates to tropical regions of South Asia, including India and Sri Lanka. There, it can be found in agricultural areas, towns, and open country, often forming large flocks.

Behaviour:

• Diet: The rose-coloured starling is primarily insectivorous during the breeding season, with locusts and grasshoppers making up a significant portion of its diet. Its feeding habits make it an important biological control agent in areas prone to locust outbreaks. Outside of the breeding season, it also consumes fruits, seeds, and berries. In wintering areas, it frequently feeds on fruits such as figs and berries.
• Flocking: The rose-coloured starling is a highly gregarious species, forming large, noisy flocks that can number in the thousands. These flocks move and feed together, and their social behaviour extends to communal roosting and nesting.
• Breeding: Rose-coloured starlings breed in large colonies, sometimes consisting of thousands of pairs. The nests are built in rock crevices or other protected areas, and the female typically lays 4–6 eggs. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. The breeding season is timed with the abundance of locusts and other insects, ensuring ample food supply for the growing chicks.

Migration:

The rose-coloured starling is a long-distance migratory bird. It breeds in central Asia and southeastern Europe, migrating to South Asia for the winter. During migration, it occasionally appears in western and northern Europe, where it is considered a rare visitor. These “vagrant” sightings are eagerly watched by birders.

Conservation Status:

The rose-coloured starling is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, as its population is currently stable and widespread. However, it is dependent on healthy insect populations for breeding success, and changes in land use or pesticide use in agricultural areas could pose future risks. Locally, the bird’s colonies may be welcomed in areas with locust infestations due to its role in controlling pests, but in some agricultural areas, it is viewed as a pest itself due to its consumption of fruit crops.

Interesting Facts:

• Irruptive Behaviour: The rose-coloured starling is known for its irruptive migrations, where large numbers may appear suddenly in areas outside their normal range, often in response to food availability or environmental conditions.
• Cultural Significance: In parts of India and Central Asia, the rose-coloured starling is considered a welcome bird due to its diet of locusts, which can devastate crops. In these regions, the bird plays an important ecological role.

John Gerrard Keulemans: A Short Biography

John Gerrard Keulemans (1842–1912) was a prolific and influential Dutch bird illustrator whose work remains celebrated for its accuracy and artistic detail. He was born on June 8, 1842, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. From a young age, he showed an interest in natural history, particularly in birds, and this passion guided him toward a career in scientific illustration.

Early Life and Career

Keulemans studied under Hermann Schlegel at the Natural History Museum in Leiden, where he honed his skills as a naturalist and artist. This connection led to one of his early assignments: joining an expedition to West Africa in 1864 to collect specimens. His work during this period helped him establish his reputation as both a naturalist and an illustrator. He documented various species of birds, adding greatly to the knowledge of African avifauna.

Move to London and Prolific Period

In 1869, Keulemans moved to England, where he would spend the rest of his career. London at that time was a hub of scientific research and publishing, making it an ideal base for an artist like Keulemans. He quickly became a leading illustrator for many of the major ornithological works of the 19th century.

Major Works

Keulemans illustrated more than 100 books on natural history, with his most famous contributions to:

• “The Birds of Great Britain” (1862–1873) by John Gould – Keulemans contributed to many of Gould’s other works, but this publication remains one of the most significant.
• “A History of the Birds of New Zealand” (1873, 1888, 1906) by Sir Walter Buller – Keulemans’ illustrations were essential to the understanding of New Zealand’s birdlife.
• “The Ibis” and “Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London” – leading ornithological journals where Keulemans’ works regularly appeared.
• “The Avifauna of Laysan” and “The Birds of the Hawaiian Islands” by R. C. L. Perkins.

Keulemans’ distinctive style involved the meticulous depiction of birds in natural, life-like poses. His plates were highly detailed, showcasing the nuances of feathers and anatomy, and he often portrayed birds in natural habitats to highlight their behaviour and environment.

Style and Techniques

Keulemans mainly worked in lithography, a printmaking process that allowed for mass production of his artwork while maintaining high-quality detail. He was known for his ability to bring a bird’s plumage and colour to life on paper, despite the limitations of the printing techniques of the time. His method involved working with specimens, either from museums or from field collections, to create scientifically accurate and dynamic illustrations.

Personal Life

Keulemans lived in England for much of his life and married in 1871. He fathered 11 children, though only six survived into adulthood. Despite his immense output and contributions to science, Keulemans often struggled financially, a common challenge for many illustrators of his era.

Legacy

John Gerrard Keulemans passed away on March 29, 1912, in Ilford, Essex, England. His legacy is firmly cemented in the world of ornithological illustration. His works continue to be highly regarded for their scientific value and artistic beauty. Many of his original illustrations are held in museums and private collections, and his detailed depictions are still referenced by ornithologists and bird enthusiasts today.

Keulemans’ work represents an important bridge between the art of the natural world and scientific inquiry, providing invaluable insight into bird species from around the world during a period when photography was still in its infancy. His illustrations remain among the finest examples of ornithological art.

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