Rüppell's Starling
Lamprotornis purpuroptera
A large, fairly long-tailed dark and glossy starling. Sometimes looks black, but in good light, shows iridescence that is mostly purple, with a green wing and a maroon belly. Found in moist savanna, woodland, gardens, and cultivated areas, often on the ground, typically in small flocks. Especially fond of manicured lawns. Similar to Long-tailed Glossy Starling, but shorter-tailed and more purple overall. The loud and complex vocalizations include a mix of rattles, scratches, and piercing whistles.
Identification
Rüppell's starling (Lamprotornis purpuroptera), also known as Rueppell's glossy-starling or Rueppell's long-tailed starling, is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in the African countries of Burundi, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Taxonomy
Genus: Lamprotornis; Family: Sturnidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Lamprotornis purpuroptera
- Authority
- Rüppell, 1845
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Lamprotornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Herpsilochmus atricapillus
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Tyto nigrobrunnea
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