[3] The geographically closest relative is the Rarotonga starling, which is larger and has a greyish body plumage with light grey feather margins.

The only known specimen (BMNH Old Vellum Catalog 12.192) was shot "hopping about [on a] tree",[4] by Andrew Bloxam, naturalist of HMS Blonde, roughly between 2:30 and 3:30 pm on August 9, 1825.

Thus, although Buller's description – a few throwaway lines in an account of the striated starling referring to the unique specimen – is barely sufficient and his name nonsensical, it is nonetheless valid according to ICZN rules.

Stresemann debunked this theory thoroughly,[7][8] but writers did not stop referring A. mavornata to Forster's bird, connecting it with the Society Islands[9] or with Cook's second voyage.

[10] Only in 1986, when Olson published the results of his research, which included analysis of Bloxam's original diary and notes and concluded that his "Sturnus Mautiensis" can be identified with Buller's A. mavornata, was the mystery of Specimen 12.192 resolved.