Meves's Starling

Overview

Meves's starling, also known as Meves's glossy starling or Long-tailed starling, is a species of starling in the genus Lamprotornis. Its names commemorate the German ornithologist Friedrich Wilhelm Meves.

Identification

• 30–36 cm in length with a very long tail featuring strongly graduated feathers.
• Dull black in dim light, but exhibiting moderate to intense iridescent gloss in bright light.
• Distinguished from similar species by its dark eyes.

Habitat

The species is found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It typically inhabits mopane woodland, usually along major river basins and often in areas that flood during the rainy season.

Did you know?

Some authorities have treated the three recognised subspecies as separate species, although this classification is not widely followed.