Abbott's Starling
Arizelopsar femoralis
A small, distinctive starling with a tiny range in Kenya and Tanzania. The male has a blue-black back and breast and a white belly. Females have a brown back and breast and a pale belly with brown streaks. Both sexes show a yellow eye. Uncommon and local in montane forest. Found in the canopy, in pairs or small flocks, often perching up conspicuously on dead snags and other open perches. Similar to Sharpe’s Starling, but has a dark breast. The calls include a sharp “sveet” and the song is a rapid, high-pitched tinkling phrase.
Identification
The Abbott's starling has a black head and breast with white underparts and a yellow eye. Its voice is a musical whistled call moving up and down the scale.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Arizelopsar femoralis
- Authority
- (Richmond, 1897)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Arizelopsar
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
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