# Greater Blue-eared Starling (*Lamprotornis chalybaeus*) The Greater Blue-eared Starling is a colorful bird with shiny blue and green feathers. It loves to sing and can often be seen in groups, making it a cheerful sight in the wild! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Greater Blue-eared Starling](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Greater_blue-eared_glossy-starling_%28Lamprotornis_chalybaeus%29%252C_Kruger_National_Park%252C_South_Africa_%2814988496302%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: flowcomm, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Greater_blue-eared_glossy-starling_%28Lamprotornis_chalybaeus%29%252C_Kruger_National_Park%252C_South_Africa_%2814988496302%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Greater Blue-eared Starling has dazzling iridescent blue-green plumage that shimmers in the sunlight, with distinct darker blue patches around its "ears." Its striking bright yellow eyes contrast sharply with its dark feathers, making it quite eye-catching. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Sturnidae - **Genus:** Lamprotornis ## Interesting facts - Sometimes, they help larger animals by eating ticks right off their skin! - Their iridescent feathers are not painted, but made of tiny structures that scatter light! - These birds love dust baths, rolling in dry soil to keep their feathers clean. - They often follow large animals like giraffes to catch insects stirred up. ## Special abilities - **Feathered Rainbow Shield:** Greater Blue-eared Starlings have iridescent feathers that reflect light, helping them blend in or stand out to attract a mate. - **Chatty Mimic:** This starling can mimic a variety of sounds, including other bird calls, which helps them communicate or even trick predators. - **Teamwork Alert:** Greater Blue-eared Starlings often forage in large flocks, which helps them spot predators faster and find food more efficiently. - **Adaptable Eater:** Greater Blue-eared Starlings have a varied diet of fruits and insects, helping them find food in many different environments. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 21-23 cm - **Wingspan:** 35-40 cm - **Weight:** 0.056-0.078 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-5 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days ## Diet & Feeding These birds are omnivores, enjoying both insects and fruits found in their African homes! - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Berries, Nectar, Seeds, Small fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Scented Pod Acacia (*Acacia nilotica*) — Consumes its fruits and seeds, aiding in seed dispersal. - **Eaten by:** African Goshawk (*Accipiter tachiro*) — A common bird of prey that hunts adult starlings. - **Eats:** African Fungus-growing Termite (*Macrotermes natalensis*) — Feeds on these termites during ground foraging. - **Parasitizes:** Great Spotted Cuckoo (*Clamator glandarius*) — Lays its eggs in starling nests for the starlings to raise. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Greater Blue-eared Starling? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Greater Blue-eared Starling? 21-23 cm ### What is Greater Blue-eared Starling's wingspan? 35-40 cm ### How much does Greater Blue-eared Starling weigh? 0.056-0.078 kg ### How long does Greater Blue-eared Starling live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Greater Blue-eared Starling move? 55 km/h ### What does Greater Blue-eared Starling eat? These birds are omnivores, enjoying both insects and fruits found in their African homes! ### Where is Greater Blue-eared Starling usually found? Grasslands ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Greater Blue-eared Starling: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-blue-eared-starling)