Somali Starling
Onychognathus blythii
A large glossy-black starling with a strong bill. The very long and pointed tail and large red wing panels are conspicuous in flight. Males have a dark head and females a contrastingly pale-gray one. Found around cliffs and other rocky areas in a wide variety of dry habitats. Most similar to Slender-billed Starling, but generally found in drier habitats, and has a thicker bill and a more pointed tail. Also similar to Socotra and Red-winged Starlings, but has a much longer and more pointed tail. Gives scratchy calls and more musical whistles.
Identification
The Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii) is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen.
Taxonomy
Genus: Onychognathus; Family: Sturnidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Onychognathus blythii
- Authority
- (Hartlaub, 1859)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Onychognathus
Range and habitat
In the Degua Tembien district of north Ethiopia, the species can be observed in bushy and shrubby areas.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
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