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
Parc Forestier de Hann, Senegal
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Lamprotornis
Species:
L. caudatus
Binomial name
Lamprotornis caudatus

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.

Long-tailed glossy starling

Like most starlings, the long-tailed glossy starling is an omnivore, eating fruit and insects.

References

  1. "Lamprotornis caudatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. BirdLife International. 2012. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Barlow, Clive; Wacher, Tim (1997). Birds of The Gambia and Senegal. Illustrated by Tony Disley. Pica. ISBN 9781873403327.
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