Superb starling

Description:

This species is 18 to 19 cm (7.1 to 7.5 in) long. Adults have black heads and iridescent blue-to-green back, upper breast, wings, and tail. The belly is red-orange, separated from the blue breast by a white bar. The undertail coverts and the wing linings are white. Juveniles have duller plumage with no more than a suggestion of the white breast band. Their irises are brown, later grayish white, eventually the adult's purple. The superb starling has a long and loud song consisting of trills and chatters. At midday it gives a softer song of repeated phrases. There are several harsh calls, the most complex of which is described as "a shrill, screeching skerrrreeee-cherrrroo-tcherreeeeeet." This species feeds primarily on the ground, often below, or in the vicinity of, acacia trees. It is gregarious and is generally rather tame and unafraid of people. The appearance of the superb starling is very similar to Hildebrandt's starling, also found in East Africa. The superb starling is distinguished by having white eyes, as opposed to the red eyes in the Hildebrandt's.

Habitat:

The Superb Starling frequents open scrub and woodland, even in very arid areas. It is also found in gardens and cultivated areas, lakeshores and close to human habitations. It usually avoids the humid lowlands, but it is seen mostly below 2200 metres of elevation.

Notes:

BEHAVIOUR: The Superb Starling feeds mainly on varied species of insects, but it also takes berries and fruits, and nectar for some plants. Insects are usually taken from the ground, as fruit and seeds. It may approach human settlements where it scavenges and takes the remains of meals and begs for food around the lodges and the picnic areas. This species is very popular among tourists. This bird is usually found in large flocks. Outside the breeding season, they gather at night in roosts which may contain from small groups to thousands of birds. During the breeding season, this usually monogamous species can also be a co-operative breeder. They live in groups of potential breeders and helpers. If females mate with several males within the group, that involves additional helpers to feed the chicks. But to mate with other males outside the group, offers greater genetic variability in young. Some courtship displays are observed, with birds running on the ground, performing jumps with dropping wings and head outstretched. The female solicits the male by leaning forwards with raised tail and fluttering, dropped wings. Then, both sexes cock the tail in order to display the white undertail-coverts.