Wattled Starling

Overview

The wattled starling (Creatophora cinerea) is a nomadic resident bird found in eastern and southern Africa. As the only member of the genus Creatophora, it is the sole African starling that shows affinities with Asian starlings of the genus Sturnus.

Identification

• Mainly grey plumage with a white rump, black flight feathers, and a black tail, making it unmistakable in flight.
• Breeding males feature a white shoulder patch, unfeathered yellow skin on the head, and black forehead and throat wattles, while non-breeding males have a feathered head with a small yellow patch behind the eye.
• Approximately 21 cm in length with a short tail and pointed wings.
• Possesses a range of wheezing or grating calls, with the most familiar being a wheezing 'ssreeeeo'.

Habitat

This species inhabits grasslands, open woodlands, and cultivation areas. It is primarily a nomadic resident of eastern and southern Africa but is extending its range into West Africa, with occurrences also recorded in Arabia, Madagascar, and the Seychelles.

Diet

An omnivore, it feeds on a wide range of invertebrates, seeds, and berries, though its diet is mainly insects including many locusts, earning it the local name 'locust bird'. It also scavenges at rubbish heaps and perches on livestock to feed on disturbed insects and remove ectoparasites.

Did you know?

Breeding is strictly linked to an abundant insect supply, so colonies may be abandoned even with chicks in the nest if food sources like locust swarms are destroyed by control measures.