Black-bellied Starling

Afrikaans name: Swartpensglansspreeu

Photo © Steven Herbert

Lamprotornis corruscus

The Black-bellied Starling is one of the five species of "glossy" starling found in South Africa. In the areas that it is found in South Africa the Cape Glossy Starling is the only other species that it could be confused with.

Black-bellied Starlings are most often found in forest and woodland with large trees. Flocks of them can be sitting in the canopy of the tree. They are very vocal which gives away their presence.

They normally occur in pairs during the breeding season and small flocks outside of it.

Black-bellied Starlings are fond of fruit but also eat some flowers and insects.

They breed in spring and early summer. They make their nests in natural holes or in abandoned nest-holes from other species. Between 2 and 4 eggs are laid.

References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 280

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 257

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 198

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 111

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 241

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 74

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 194

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 286

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 386

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 386

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 398

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 515

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 525

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 676

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 674

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 366

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 400

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 77

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 315

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds