Superb Starling

Overview

The superb starling, Lamprotornis superbus, is a small, short-tailed bird native to East Africa. It is a member of the starling family and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Length of 18 to 19 cm with a long narrow bill, robust body, and strong feet.
• Adults feature black heads, iridescent blue-to-green backs, wings, and tails, with red-orange bellies separated by a distinct white bar.
• Pale creamy-white eyes distinguish adults from the similar Hildebrandt's starling, which has red eyes.
• Song consists of long, loud trills and chatters, with a complex call described as 'a shrill, screeching skerrrreeee-cherrrroo-tcherreeeeeet'.

Habitat

This species inhabits savanna, thornbush, acacia arid areas, open woodland, lakeshore woodlands, gardens, and cultivated fields. It is found across East Africa, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, and Tanzania, at altitudes ranging from 0 to 2,650 metres.

Diet

The superb starling feeds primarily on the ground, often near acacia trees, consuming insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, termites, ants, and flies, as well as worms, grains, fruits, and small berries. They are gregarious and generally unafraid of humans.

Did you know?

These birds are quite tame, often feeding on the ground in plain sight without showing much fear of people.