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Greater blue-eared starling. Only starlings that could fit the bill is the glossy or greater blue eared. This one is a greater blue eared because of the broad dark blue ear blotch and the general colour of the bird isnt that of a glossy. Glossys are much brighter and is more of a green in colour and not a blue.

Sorry, MWD. I don't agree with the id. The dark blue ear coverts does not seem to extend far back behind the eye.

Is the bird in these two pics the same as under the 'help' link, DB? As WTM says, the bird in these pics is missing the dark blue ear coverts - so this must be a Cape Glossy Starling. The bird under the link (in the other thread) does seem to have the ear coverts and would be a Greater Blue-eared Starling, as MWD suggests...

Agree with WTM - Cape Glossy Starling

can somebody please help with this ID

I think it is a glossy starling?

Hehe Batmad, no problem.

Starlings usually trip me up badly but I'll take a guess after playing with them in photoshop, just to test myself.

1st photo - Cape Glossy Starling.

Taken in Kruger

Picture taken last September in Nossob.

I photographed these Starlings at the Tshokwane Picnic spot during my November trip. Two of the Starlings had ganged up on a third Starling and were literally trying to kill it. As I moved in to take the photo all three flew off. I am not sure if they continued there fight elswhere. Has anybody seen anything similar with glossy starlings?

So many of these birds in Kruger , but not many pics of them

This time of the year, early mornings, after I have put out the birdfood, I can almost make-believe I am in KNP. Dozens of Cape Glossy Starlings make use of my "take-away" - the bonemeal being the main attraction.