Burchell's Starling

Afrikaans name: Grootglansspreeu

Burchell's Starlings are normally seen on the ground

Photo © Steven Herbert

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.

Photo © Steven Herbert

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

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

Wild Issue 39 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 74

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 76

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 669

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 402

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 368

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 671

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 384

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

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 384

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 288

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

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

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 the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 239

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

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 278

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 44

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List of South African Birds