Cape Starling

Lamprotornis nitens

With iridescent feathers that shift from blue to green in the sunlight, this social African starling is commonly spotted strutting through city parks or gliding between acacia trees.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Cape Starling is a medium-sized bird with striking iridescent plumage. Its feathers shimmer with a metallic blue-green sheen, often appearing purple in certain light conditions. The body is sleek and compact, with a relatively long tail.

Adults have bright yellow eyes that contrast sharply with their dark plumage. Juveniles are duller, with a more brownish tint and darker eyes, gradually developing adult colouration as they mature.

Size

Length

25cm to 28cm

Wingspan

40cm to 45cm

Weight

80g to 100g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Iridescent Blue Green

Secondary Colour

Purple

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Cape Starling can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Cape Starling can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Cape Starling can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Cape Starlings are native to southern Africa and found in countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. They inhabit a variety of woodland habitats, including savanna, open bush, and riverine forests.

These adaptable birds have also successfully colonised urban and suburban areas, often seen in parks, gardens, and agricultural lands. Their distribution remains relatively stable throughout the year, with no significant seasonal movements.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Subtropical, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Cape Starling. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons