Least Concern Birds

Burchell's Starling

Lamprotornis australis

Burchell's Starling is an omnivorous bird of African savannas and farmland edges.

Scientific name	Lamprotornis australis
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Sturnidae
Size	Male: approximately 19-21 cm, weight about 60-80 g; female: slightly smaller and somewhat lighter

See this species in the app

How to identify

Smooth plumage with metallic sheen, mainly blue-green; chest and belly purple-blue; eyes bright yellow; bill black, thick and short; tail relatively short

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, shrubs, open forests and edges of farmland

Diet

Omnivorous, feeding mainly on insects, small invertebrates, and fruit

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day

Where it lives

Mainly distributed in southern Africa, including Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa; less common in Kenya and the Masai Mara region

How to spot it

Observe during early morning or late afternoon with soft light; watch for activity in tree canopies and shrubs; using binoculars enhances viewing of vivid plumage

Photography tips

Use natural light to highlight the metallic sheen of feathers; employ telephoto lenses to capture details; keep background simple to emphasize the subject

Threats

Habitat loss and fragmentation, impact of agricultural expansion on habitat

Similar species

Similar to other Lamprotornis starlings, such as the Purple Starling (Lamprotornis purpureus), distinguished by a more blue-green coloration and slightly larger size

📖 how to spot the burchells starling on safari