Cape Starling
Lamprotornis nitens
Cape Starling is an omnivorous bird of African grasslands and farmland edges.
| Scientific name | Lamprotornis nitens |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Nyekundu wa Cape |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Size | Male: approximately 18-20 cm, weight about 60-90 g; female: slightly smaller and lighter |
How to identify
Smooth plumage with metallic sheen, mainly blue-green; eyes bright yellow; bill black and short; tail short; blue flashes under wings in flight
Habitat
Open grasslands, wooded savannas, shrublands, and edges of farmland
Diet
Omnivorous, mainly feeding on insects, fruits, and seeds, also consumes small invertebrates
When it is active
Diurnal, active during the day
Where it lives
Mainly distributed in southern Africa including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and occasionally in parts of Kenya
How to spot it
Look in open grasslands and shrub edges; best photographed in soft light during early morning and late afternoon
Photography tips
Use natural light to highlight metallic sheen, choose simple backgrounds, and use telephoto lenses to capture details
Threats
Habitat destruction and agricultural expansion, but overall population stable
Similar species
Similar species in the genus Lamprotornis, such as the Purple Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis purpureus), distinguished by body and eye color
You might also like
LC African Broad-billed Roller
Eurystomus glaucurus
LC African Fish Eagle
Haliaeetus vocifer
LC African Green Pigeon
Treron calvus
LC African Grey Hornbill
Lophoceros nasutus
LC African Harrier Hawk
Polyboroides typus
LC African Hawk Eagle
Aquila spilogaster
LC African Hoopoe
Upupa africana
LC African Jacana
Actophilornis africanus