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Greater Blue-eared Starling
Lamprotornis chalybaeus

Afrikaans: Groot-blouoorglansspreeu

Identification:
Size medium, very similar to Glossy Starling, more satiny lustrous all over. Dark blue ear coverts contrast strongly with green head colouring (much less contrast in Glossy Starling). Entirely shiny blue-green, belly glossed royal blue (magenta in Lesser Blue-eared- and blue-green in Glossy Starling). Ear coverts deep purple, wrist purplish copper. 2 rows of black spots on wing coverts (as in Glossy- only one row in Lesser Blue-eared Starling). Eye bright orange. Immature: Dull brownish black with only a slight gloss, eye grey.

Distribution:
Africa South of Sahara, in Southern Africa confined to NE from Zululand, Transvaal lowveld and Mozambique to Limpopo valley, Zimbabwe, N Botswana and N Namibia.

Status:
Common resident, nomadic at edges of range.

Habitat:
Open woodland, savanna, riverine forest, bushveld, usually with fairly tall dense ground cover.

Habits:
In pairs when breeding otherwise gregarious in large flocks. Forages mostly by running around on the ground. Tame in game reserves, taking scraps from tables. Flocks sing in chorus from perches in trees. Flight fast and directed with loud swishing wingbeats. Roosts communally in trees or reedbeds.

Food
Fruit, insects, seeds.

Breeding
Season: August to November in Transvaal, August to January (mainly Sept - Nov) in Zimbabwe.
Nest:
Pad of grass, feathers and snakeskin in natural hole in tree or hollow fence pole.
Clutch:
2-5 eggs
Eggs:
Pale greenish blue, plain or spotted with red-brown and greyish mainly at thick end.
(Source: Roberts)

I took the following pictures of a Starling at Pretorius Kop in September this year. I always see these birds at picnic spots throughout the Kruger, but had to spend some time to identify them. There were 2 other species that were similar, and I hope I have identified them correctly.

Image 1


Image 2


Image 3

(photo taken by Laine)

Now that is a perfect example of what they look like WTM. Great shot Laine.

Where did you guys see it?

To be honest, Daan. We saw it everywhere!

This photo was taken on the Shongololo loop. We also saw some in Shingwedzi, Letaba and Satara. But Skukuza had perhaps the biggest group at the restaurant!

Ja it pays to pay attention to the Starlings.

Next time I will get a photo. I saw my first one at Satara too.

What a beautiful photo! Laine and Wildtuinman!

Thanks Tilandi.