Superb Starling

Lamprotornis superbus

The Superb Starling is a colorful bird with shiny blue and green feathers. They are very social and love to be around other birds, often seen hopping on the ground looking for food.

Habitat: Savannas

Appearance

The Superb Starling has striking iridescent blue-green plumage on its back and head, a bright copper-orange belly, and a stark white band separating the two. Its contrasting black face and tail make it truly stand out from other starlings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilySturnidaeGenusLamprotornis

Photo: Sumeet MogheCC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Superb Starling

Interesting facts

Superb Starlings sometimes follow large animals like zebras to snatch up insects they stir up!

Their bright blue feathers aren't just blue; they reflect light like tiny prisms!

These birds often build nests inside tree hollows or abandoned nests of other birds!

These noisy birds love to gather in huge, swirling groups called murmurations at dusk!

Special abilities

Superb Starlings have dazzling iridescent feathers that help them blend into dappled sunlight and signal health to mates.

Superb Starlings can forage and roost in large groups, which helps them find food more efficiently and detect predators sooner.

Superb Starlings can imitate sounds from their environment and other birds, which helps them communicate complex messages.

Measurements & details

Length: 18-19 cm
Wingspan: 30-35 cm
Weight: 0.052-0.069 kg
Lifespan: 5-15 years
Speed: 50 km/h
Clutch Size: 3-4
Incubation: 12-14 days

Diet & Feeding

This colorful bird eats a mix of tasty insects, sweet fruits, and sometimes even nectar!

Primary Foods

Insects
Spiders
Berries
Fruits
Seeds
Nectar

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

Shelter

Umbrella Thorn Acacia

Acacia tortilis

Nests and roosts in branches

Eaten by

Augur Buzzard

Buteo rufofuscus

Preys on adult starlings

Eaten by

Olive Baboon

Papio anubis

Raids nests for eggs and chicks

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Singing

Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Savanna

This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons.

Diurnal

Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

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 Superb 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 Superb Starling?

18-19 cm

What is Superb Starling's wingspan?

30-35 cm

How much does Superb Starling weigh?

0.052-0.069 kg

How long does Superb Starling live?

5-15 years

How fast can Superb Starling move?

50 km/h

What does Superb Starling eat?

This colorful bird eats a mix of tasty insects, sweet fruits, and sometimes even nectar!