From Opus

Alternative name: Burchell's Starling

Lamprotornis australis

Photo by Peter van Zoest
South Africa

[edit] 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.

[edit] Distribution

Botswana, central and northern Namibia, southern Angola, western Zambia, northern South Africa and eastern Swaziland.

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.

[edit] Habitat

Open woodland and savanna.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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

[edit] External Links