Alternative name: Burchell's Starling
- Lamprotornis australis
Identification
Length 30 cm, mass 112-128 g.
Adult: Plumage is mostly glossy blue-green; ear coverts and carpal patch bronze, rump purple, and tail violet with blackish bars. Bill, legs and feet black.
The song comprises short phrases of rolling whistles and harsh notes.
Distribution
Botswana, central and northern Namibia, southern Angola, western Zambia, northern South Africa and eastern Swaziland.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
Habitat
Open woodland and savanna.
Behaviour
A common resident that occurs singly, in small groups, or in flocks, sometimes with other glossy starlings. Feeds largely on the ground, mainly for insects; also eats small vertebrates, fruit and flowers. Often a scavenger at picnic sites in game reserves.
Breeding: Monogamous. Usually nests in a hole in a tree; often an old woodpecker or barbet nest. Two to four eggs are laid October to April. Parasitised by the Great Spotted Cuckoo and the Greater Honeyguide.
References
Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533
