 Hume notes that the skull of the Rodrigues starling was about the same size as that of the hoopoe starling , but the skeleton was smaller . Though the Rodrigues starling was clearly able to fly , its sternum was smaller compared to that of other starlings ; however , it may not have required powerful flight , due to the small area and topography of Rodrigues . The two starlings differed mainly in details of the skull , jaws , and sternum . The maxilla of the Rodrigues starling was shorter , less curved , had a less slender tip , and had a stouter mandible . Not enough remains of the Rodrigues starling have been found to assess whether it was sexually dimorphic . Subfossils show a disparity in size between specimens , but this may be due to individual variation , as the differences are gradual , with no distinct size classes . There is a difference in bill length and shape between two Rodrigues starling specimens , which could indicate dimorphism . 
