Order Passeriformes Higher classification Cosmopsarus | Phylum Chordata Family Sturnidae Scientific name Lamprotornis regius Rank Species | |
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Similar Bird, Starling, Lamprotornis, Cosmopsarus, Superb starling | ||
Golden breasted starling preening footage interesting bird video
The golden-breasted starling (Lamprotornis regius), also known as royal starling, is a medium-sized, up to 35 cm long, passerine in the starling family.
Contents
- Golden breasted starling preening footage interesting bird video
- Golden breasted starling lamprotornis regius feeding 1080p hd
- Description
- Distribution and habitat
- Behaviour
- Breeding
- Feeding
- Status and conservation
- References
Golden breasted starling lamprotornis regius feeding 1080p hd
Description
The adult has a metallic green head and upper back, bright golden yellow breast and belly, dark bill and legs, white iris and metallic violet blue on wings, back, neck and its long tail feathers. Both sexes are similar. The young are duller than the adult.
Distribution and habitat
The golden-breasted starling is distributed in the grassland, savannah and shrubland of East Africa, from Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and northern Tanzania.
Behaviour
The golden-breasted starling is a social animal, living in groups of three to twelve individuals.
Breeding
The golden-breasted starling molts once a year, after the breeding season. The female usually lays between three and five pale green eggs with red speckles. It nests in tree holes. The nest is made from leaves, roots and other vegetation. Entire family groups cooperate in raising young by gathering food and nesting materials.
Feeding
Its diet consists mainly of insects and termites. Adult birds catch insects in flight and dig up termite mounds to find prey.
Status and conservation
Widespread throughout its habitat range, the golden-breasted starling is evaluated as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.