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These birds = KNP for me, so I can't decide whether I'm disappointed or chaffed to see them anywhere else. They've started appearing in the Vaal Triangle. I first saw one in Vereeniging in a garden and another over the weekend in Vanderbijlpark. They've been spotted by others as well. I know it's possible to buy them at a local bird dealer. Would it be correct to assume they could've escaped from captivity? I see they are not rare to the area, just not very common, but I've never seen them around before.

There has been a general inflow of indigenous birds in to our cities in the past 10 plus years. The glossy starlings are becomming quite common in Pretoria. Gauteng (and most of SA) is within the natural distribution area of the Cape Glossy Starling.

Also have been noting some Plumcoloured Starlings breeding in our area.

Glossy starling s are very common in PTA. Their distrubtion map is definitely shifting every year. Their habits are quite similar to that of the indian or common mynah.

GP, I don't think they are escaped birds as there are too many of them. My garden in Edenvale has loads of them and they are breading in my area. These are just like the Lourie and a host of other birds that has moved into urban areas. To me they were also bushveld birds so I also have mixed feelings.

Guinea Pig,
....I have to agree............. I know I've arrived in the Park when I hear the Glossy Starlings.... it simply signifies the peace and quiet and then my body shuts down and starts to relax..... :bday:

......it's just NOT the same seeing them anywhere else..........

And on the other hand er Darren, I know when I want to leave a picnic spot, and that is when these lil feathered hooligans turn up en mass to harass the previous night's baked beans outa me. Sorry but they are not one of my favourite associated Kruger birds.

Could this possibly be the Greater Blue-eared Starling?
It is actually one of Jocks pics but when we came to posting it, I was suddenly not sure which one it was.

Difficult to see from the picture because of the angle. You need to look for the large black ear patch as well as two lines of dark dots running parallel along the shoulder of the wing, the upper line only three or four dots and the lower one a bit longer but less distinct, as shown in the picture below:

I agree with J-ms. Difficult to say on the angle of the pic. Sorry Elsa.

also agree with j-ms. The angle and light make it too tricky to make a definate ID.

Ok, thanks anyway guys,
Jock took the pic at Afsaal and I somehow automatically assumed it was the Glossy until looking more carefully and then, as I said became unsure.
I was wondering if the black or darker tips at the ends of the wings would not be diagnostic?
Until then it will just have to go down as a ? glossy!!

We did get to see the Longtailed Starlings at S/S dam again and they have become real "beggers" sitting next to the car door and singing you the most cheerful little song they can muster in the hope of a crumb or two.

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:09 pm

This thread has been running for a while now, but I don't see anybody picking up on Guinea Pig's observation. It is illegal to deal in indigenous birds or to keep them captured. If you know about such on-goings it should be reported to a conservation body so that the offender can get his butt kicked!

Help ....