Purple Starling

Lamprotornis purpureus

A chunky, large, short-tailed starling. Mostly iridescent purple, with a greenish back and a huge yellow-orange eye. Found in a wide variety of savanna habitats, from moist broadleaf woodland to dry thorn savanna and thornscrub. Usually in flocks, which can be large and often include other species of starlings. Similar to other savanna-dwelling starlings, but easily separated by the huge eye and the abundance of purple in the plumage. The vocalizations include liquid swirling calls, nasal squeals, and simple chatters. 

Identification

The adults of these stocky 22–23 cm long birds have a metallic purple head and body, and glossy green wings. They have a short tail and a yellow eye. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are much duller, with grey underparts and a brown iris.

Taxonomy

Genus: Lamprotornis; Family: Sturnidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Lamprotornis purpureus
Authority
(Müller, PLS, 1776)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Sturnidae
Genus
Lamprotornis

Range and habitat

It is a resident breeder in tropical Africa from Senegal and north Zaire east to Sudan and west Kenya. This common passerine is typically found in open woodland and cultivation.

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: stable.

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Gray-headed Lapwing

Gray-headed Lapwing

Vanellus cinereus

Brown lapwing with a gray head and neck, bright yellow bill, and a white belly and gray breast separated by a dark breast band. When in flight, note striking black primary feathers and white secondaries, as well as a white rump and dark tail. Gregarious, usually seen in loose small flocks, sometimes with other lapwings. Inhabits cultivated wetlands and marshy areas, feeding mainly on insects, worms, and crustaceans. Gives grating, piping screams.

Mountain Wagtail

Mountain Wagtail

Motacilla clara

Elegant, long-tailed bird with a gray back, pale underparts, and a black chest band. White outer tail is conspicuous in flight. Found along streams, mainly within montane forest. Feeds by walking along the ground, bobbing its tail constantly. Call is a buzzy “tseeet”. Song is a complex and beautiful jumble of high notes and trills. Similar to Cape Wagtail but has gray rather than brown upperparts and has more white in the wings and tail. Also similar to Gray Wagtail but lacks yellow on the underparts.

Red-eyed Bulbul

Red-eyed Bulbul

Pycnonotus brunneus

Nondescript plain brown bulbul with dull red eyes. Buffy brown vent distinguishes it from similar red-eyed form of Cream-vented Bulbul. Has neither the olive wing patches of Olive-winged Bulbul nor the streaked ear coverts of Streak-eared Bulbul. Red eye is not surrounded by the orangish eyering of Spectacled Bulbul. Forages primarily in the middle and upper levels of forest, often with other species in mixed flocks. Song is a relatively monotonous series of upslurred whistles.

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