Purple Starling

Description:

This is a stocky starling of over 20 cm in length. Not easy to differentiate from other Lamprotornis species (Greater and Lesser blue-eared glossy starlings) - overall blue or dark blue appearance with metallic purple head and body, and glossy green wings. They have a short tail and an easily noticed bright yellow eye. The sexes are similar; youngsters duller in colour.

Habitat:

This is another African species, found in a tropical equatorial belt south of Sahara and north of Equator; from Senegambia to Kenya (see range here http://maps.iucnredlist.org/map.html?id=...). Like other starlings, the Purple one favours open country and savanna, but is also often found around cultivated land and in associated towns and villages - like here, on cassava/chilli/maize fields in central Nigeria.