Red-billed Starling

About

The Red-billed Starling is a medium-sized passerine bird belonging to the starling family. It is characterized by its glossy black plumage, distinctive red bill, and rufous primary flight feathers, which are particularly noticeable in flight. It is an arboreal species found in various woodland and savanna habitats across East and Central Africa.

Size & lifespan

Length

25-28 cm

Wingspan

40-45 cm

Weight

80-110 g

Lifespan

Approximately 8-12 years in the wild

Diet

Omnivore, primarily frugivorous and insectivorous

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults are predominantly glossy black with a metallic sheen, particularly on the head and upperparts. The most striking feature is the rufous-chestnut patch on the outer webs of the primary flight feathers, which is highly visible in flight and as a rufous panel on the folded wing. The underparts are also glossy black.

Beak shape

Conical and relatively stout, bright coral-red to orange-red in color. The culmen is slightly decurved.

Eye color

Dark brown

Leg color

Black

Distinguishing features

The combination of glossy black plumage, bright red bill, and prominent rufous wing patches (especially in flight) are diagnostic. Its tail is relatively long and graduated.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles are duller black overall, lacking the strong gloss of adults. Their bill is dark (blackish or dusky) and gradually acquires the adult red coloration. The rufous wing patch is present but may be less vibrant.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes are observed in adults.

Sexual dimorphism

Males and females are generally similar in plumage. Females may have a slightly duller red bill and sometimes a less intense gloss to their plumage, but these differences are subtle and not always reliable for field identification.

How to identify

1. 1

   Bill Color

   Look for the distinctive bright coral-red to orange-red bill. This is the most immediate and reliable field mark for adults.

2. 2

   Plumage and Gloss

   Observe the overall glossy black plumage. The metallic sheen is evident in good light.

3. 3

   Wing Patch

   In flight, or when perched with wings slightly open, look for the prominent rufous-chestnut patch on the primary flight feathers. This creates a striking contrast with the black plumage.

4. 4

   Tail Length

   Note the relatively long, graduated tail, which is characteristic of Onychognathus starlings.

5. 5

   Vocalizations

   Listen for its varied and melodious song, or its harsh 'churr' calls. Vocalizations can often help confirm identification.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Savanna, woodlands, riverine forests, acacia scrub, rocky outcrops, and sometimes suburban gardens and cultivated areas.

Geographic range

East and Central Africa, including countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Elevation range

Typically found from sea level up to 2,000 meters, occasionally higher.

Preferred environments

Prefers areas with scattered trees, especially fruiting trees, and often near rocky hills or cliffs for nesting. They adapt well to human-modified landscapes if suitable foraging and nesting sites are available.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal

Feeding habits

Primarily feeds on fruits, especially figs, berries, and other wild fruits. Also consumes a significant amount of insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and termites, particularly during the breeding season. They forage in trees and on the ground.

Social behavior

Often seen in pairs or small family groups. Outside the breeding season, they can form larger flocks, sometimes mixing with other starling species, especially at fruiting trees or communal roosts.

Flight pattern

Strong, direct, and undulating flight, often with rapid wingbeats. The rufous wing patches are very conspicuous during flight.

Migration pattern

Generally resident throughout its range, but some local or altitudinal movements may occur in response to food availability, particularly fruiting seasons.

Territoriality

Pairs are territorial during the breeding season, defending their nesting sites and immediate foraging areas. Flocks are less territorial.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Varies geographically, typically coinciding with the rainy seasons when food resources (fruits and insects) are abundant. For example, in East Africa, it can be from March to July and October to December.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically built in crevices or holes in cliffs, rocky outcrops, or sometimes in tree hollows or old buildings. The nest is a bulky cup-shaped structure made of twigs, grass, and mud, lined with finer materials.

Clutch size

2-4 eggs

Egg description

Eggs are pale blue or greenish-blue, often speckled or blotched with reddish-brown or purplish markings, particularly at the broader end. Typically oval-shaped.

Incubation period

Approximately 13-15 days

Fledging period

Chicks fledge around 21-25 days after hatching.

Parental care

Both parents participate in incubation and feeding of the nestlings. They bring a variety of insects and fruits to the young.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Look for fruiting trees. Red-billed Starlings are highly frugivorous; checking fruiting fig trees or other berry-producing plants is an excellent way to find them.
2. Observe flight patterns. Their distinctive rufous wing patches are most visible in flight, making them easier to identify when moving between trees or across open spaces.
3. Listen for calls. Their varied vocalizations, including melodious songs and harsh calls, can often draw attention to their presence before they are seen.
4. Check rocky areas. If in suitable habitat, scan cliffs and rocky outcrops, as these are favored nesting and roosting sites.

Similar species

Quick facts

Primary Diet:

Fruits and insects

Key ID Feature:

Red bill and rufous wing patch

Habitat:

Woodlands, savannas, rocky areas

Sociality:

Pairs or small flocks

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Fun facts

• The Red-billed Starling's scientific name, 'taboranus', refers to Tabora, a region in Tanzania where the species was first described.
• Like many starlings, they are known to incorporate mimicry into their songs, imitating calls of other bird species in their environment.
• Their strong, conical bills are well-adapted for piercing fruits and extracting insects from crevices.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Sturnidae

Genus

Onychognathus

Species

Onychognathus taboranus

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