Burchell's starling
Burchell's starling (Lamprotornis australis) or Burchell's glossy-starling is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. The monogamous and presumably sedentary[2] species is native to dry and mesic woodlands and savannah of southern Africa. The name of this bird commemorates the English naturalist William John Burchell.[3]
Burchell's starling | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Dinosauria |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Sturnidae |
Genus: | Lamprotornis |
Species: | L. australis |
Binomial name | |
Lamprotornis australis (Smith, 1836) | |
low density range high density range | |
Synonyms | |
Megalopterus australis A.Smith, 1836[2] |
Range and habitat
This species is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is absent from miombo woodland,[2] but is present in westerly gusu woodlands.
Habits and food
In the Kalahari they associate with camelthorn trees and also feed on their flowers. Their food includes flowers, fruit and small animals.[2] They breed during the summer months.
Status and numbers
The species is not threatened and is locally common in conservation areas.[2]
References
- BirdLife International (2018). "Lamprotornis australis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22710731A132090179. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22710731A132090179.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- Craig, A.; Feare, C. (2018). "Burchell's Starling (Lamprotornis australis)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael (2003). Whose Bird? Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds. London: Christopher Helm. p. 72.
External links
- Burchell's (glossy-) starling - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds