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The Cape Glossy Starling is a medium-sized passerine bird known for its iridescent blue-green plumage. It is a common and conspicuous species across much of southern Africa, often found in open woodlands, savannas, and suburban areas. Its striking coloration and confident demeanor make it a recognizable bird in its range.
Size & lifespan
- Length
- 25-30 cm
- Wingspan
- 38-45 cm
- Weight
- 70-100 g
- Lifespan
- Approximately 8-12 years in the wild
- Diet
- Omnivore, primarily insectivorous but also consumes fruits, nectar, and human scraps.
Physical characteristics
- Plumage
- Adults exhibit a brilliant, iridescent blue-green plumage over most of the body, appearing glossy and metallic in good light. The head, back, and wings are particularly vibrant, while the belly can be slightly duller. The undertail coverts are dark, often appearing blackish. There are no significant seasonal changes in adult plumage.
- Beak shape
- The beak is relatively short, stout, and conical, adapted for a varied diet. It is entirely black.
- Eye color
- The eyes are a striking bright yellow, contrasting sharply with the dark head plumage.
- Leg color
- Legs and feet are black.
- Distinguishing features
- Key features include the overall iridescent blue-green plumage, bright yellow eyes, and entirely black beak and legs. The lack of any spots or streaking on the underparts distinguishes it from some other glossy starlings.
- Juvenile appearance
- Juveniles are duller and less iridescent than adults, with a sooty-brown or greyish-brown plumage overall. The eyes are dark brown, gradually changing to yellow as they mature. The beak is also duller, often with a yellowish gape.
- Seasonal changes
- No significant seasonal changes in adult plumage. Juveniles gradually acquire adult plumage over their first year.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Males and females are monomorphic in plumage, appearing identical. There might be slight size differences, with males typically being marginally larger, but this is not reliably discernible in the field.
How to identify
- 1
Plumage Color
Look for the overall brilliant, uniform iridescent blue-green sheen across the entire body. This is the most striking feature.
- 2
Eye Color
The bright, piercing yellow eyes are a key identifier and stand out against the dark head.
- 3
Beak and Leg Color
Note the entirely black beak and legs, without any other coloration.
- 4
Size and Shape
It's a medium-sized starling, with a relatively compact body and a medium-length tail, not excessively long like some other glossy starlings.
- 5
Vocalizations
Listen for its varied song, which includes whistles, trills, and chattering, and its harsh 'churr' call.
- 6
Behavior
Observe its confident ground foraging, often in open areas, and its tendency to form social groups.
Habitat & range
- Biomes
- Savanna, open woodland, shrubland, grasslands, suburban gardens, agricultural areas.
- Geographic range
- Southern Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, southern Angola, and parts of Zambia and Mozambique.
- Elevation range
- Sea level up to approximately 1,800 meters.
- Preferred environments
- Prefers areas with scattered trees and shrubs, often near human habitation. Common in parks, gardens, farmlands, and open acacia woodlands. Avoids dense forests and arid deserts.
Behavior
- Activity time
- Diurnal, most active during the morning and late afternoon.
- Feeding habits
- Forages primarily on the ground, walking with a confident gait, probing for insects and larvae. Also gleans insects from foliage and takes fruit from trees and shrubs. Will readily visit bird feeders and scavenge human food scraps in urban environments.
- Social behavior
- Highly social birds, often seen in pairs or small family groups, but can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes numbering in the hundreds or thousands, especially at communal roosts. They often associate with other starling species.
- Flight pattern
- Flight is strong and direct, often in undulating patterns when in flocks. They are agile fliers, especially when maneuvering through trees.
- Migration pattern
- Generally resident throughout its range, though some local or nomadic movements may occur in response to food availability or seasonal changes in rainfall.
- Territoriality
- During the breeding season, pairs will defend a nesting territory. Outside of breeding, they are less territorial and more communal.
Song & calls
- Song
- The song is a varied and often melodious mix of whistles, trills, clicks, and chattering notes. It can include mimicry of other bird species. Often delivered from a prominent perch.
- Call
- Common calls include a harsh, grating 'churr' or 'kraak', a sharp 'tseep', and various chattering notes used for communication within flocks. Alarm calls are typically sharper and more insistent.
- When they vocalize
- Vocalizes throughout the day, particularly active in the early morning and late afternoon. Calls are more frequent during the breeding season.
Breeding & reproduction
- Breeding season
- Primarily September to March, coinciding with the rainy season and increased insect availability.
- Nesting habits
- Nests are typically built in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or sometimes in artificial structures like nest boxes or holes in buildings. The nest itself is a cup-shaped structure made of grass, leaves, and other plant material, often lined with softer materials like feathers.
- Clutch size
- Typically 2-5 eggs, most commonly 3-4.
- Egg description
- Eggs are pale blue or greenish-blue, often speckled or spotted with reddish-brown or purplish markings, particularly at the broader end. They are oval-shaped.
- Incubation period
- Approximately 12-14 days, primarily by the female.
- Fledging period
- Chicks fledge (leave the nest) about 20-23 days after hatching.
- Parental care
- Both parents participate in feeding the nestlings and fledglings. Young birds remain dependent on their parents for some time after leaving the nest.
Where to find
Suburban Gardens and Parks
Very common in human-modified landscapes, often seen on lawns, trees, and at bird feeders.
Open Woodlands and Savannas
Look for them perched on prominent branches or foraging on the ground in acacia woodlands and mixed savanna habitats.
Agricultural Areas
Frequently found in farmlands, especially those with scattered trees or hedgerows.
Field tips
- Look for Iridescence. The iridescent plumage is best seen in good light. Position yourself so the sun is behind you to fully appreciate its metallic sheen.
- Listen for Calls. Their varied vocalizations are often the first indication of their presence. Learn their distinctive 'churr' call.
- Check Ground Foragers. They spend a significant amount of time foraging on the ground, so scan open grassy areas.
- Observe Flocks. Outside of breeding season, they often form large, noisy flocks, especially at communal roosts in the evenings.
Similar species
Greater Blue-eared Starling
Lamprotornis chalybaeus
The Greater Blue-eared Starling has a distinct blue-green ear-covert patch (hence the name) and often a more purplish sheen on the wings and tail, contrasting with the more uniform blue-green of the Cape Glossy Starling. Its eyes are typically orange-yellow, not bright yellow. The Cape Glossy Starling lacks the distinct ear patch.
Lesser Blue-eared Starling
Lamprotornis chloropterus
Similar to the Greater Blue-eared Starling, but generally smaller and with a less prominent blue ear patch. Its range is primarily in West and Central Africa, with limited overlap with the Cape Glossy Starling. The Cape Glossy Starling's bright yellow eye is a good distinguishing feature.
Burchell's Starling
Lamprotornis australis
Burchell's Starling is significantly larger (up to 34 cm) and has a much longer tail. While also iridescent, its plumage often has more bronze or coppery tones, especially on the wings, and its eyes are dark brown, not yellow. Its call is also distinctly different, a loud, ringing 'klee-oo'.
Quick facts
- Common Name:
- Cape Glossy Starling
- Scientific Name:
- Lamprotornis nitens
- Family:
- Sturnidae
- Conservation Status:
- Least Concern
- Diet:
- Omnivore (insects, fruits, nectar)
- Eye Color:
- Bright Yellow
- Plumage:
- Iridescent Blue-Green
- Habitat:
- Open woodlands, savannas, suburban areas
Fun facts
- The Cape Glossy Starling is known for its ability to mimic the calls of other bird species, incorporating them into its own varied song.
- They are often seen 'anting,' a behavior where birds rub ants on their feathers, possibly to remove parasites or to acquire formic acid for feather maintenance.
- These starlings are highly adaptable and have successfully colonized urban and suburban environments, often becoming quite tame around humans.
- Their iridescent plumage is not due to pigments but rather to the microscopic structure of their feathers, which refracts light to produce the metallic colors.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Lamprotornis
- Species
- L. nitens
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