Burchell's Starling
Afrikaans name: Grootglansspreeu
Burchell's Starlings are normally seen on the ground
Lamprotornis australis
Burchell's Starling is one of the 'glossy' starlings found in South Africa. This is one of the larger species and is also the darkest. It can appear almost black in certain light. It has a black eye.
It is found in many countries in southern Africa.
The main food items for the Burchell's Starling are insects and fruit. It is most often seen on the ground.
Pairs bond for life. They nest in holes in trees.
The Burchells Starling is often seen singly but it can be seen in flocks as well.
Above - Burchell's Starlings are a common sight in Kruger National Park, although they aren't as common as the Cape Glossy Starling and Greater Blue-eared Starling. This one has just caught a frog in a river bed.References and further reading
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 278A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 44
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 44
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 107
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 198
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 239
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: 288
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 384
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 384
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 400
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 516
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 527
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 671
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 669
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 368
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 402
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 76
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 315
Wild Issue 39 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 74
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