Long-tailed glossy starling
The long-tailed glossy starling (Lamprotornis caudatus) is a member of the starling family of birds. It is a resident breeder in tropical Africa from Senegal east to Sudan.
Long-tailed glossy starling | |
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Parc Forestier de Hann, Senegal | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Dinosauria |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Sturnidae |
Genus: | Lamprotornis |
Species: | L. caudatus |
Binomial name | |
Lamprotornis caudatus (Statius Muller, 1776) | |
This common passerine is typically found in open woodland and cultivation. The long-tailed glossy starling builds a nest in a hole. The normal clutch is two to four eggs.
This ubiquitous bird is gregarious and noisy, with a harsh grating call.
The adults of these 54 cm (21 in) long birds have metallic green upperparts, violet underparts and a 34 cm (13 in) long purple tail. The face is black with a yellow eye. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller, with a brownish tone to the plumage.
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Like most starlings, the long-tailed glossy starling is an omnivore, eating fruit and insects.
References
- BirdLife International (2016). "Lamprotornis caudatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22710744A94259013. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22710744A94259013.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- Barlow, Clive; Wacher, Tim (1997). Birds of The Gambia and Senegal. Illustrated by Tony Disley. Pica. ISBN 9781873403327.