Cape Starling Bird Facts (Lamprotornis nitens)

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.

The Cape Starling can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Cape Starling can be found in Urban habitats.

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Cape Starling is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Cape Starling can be found in Savanna habitats.

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.

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

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Angola Botswana Eswatini Gabon Lesotho Mozambique Namibia South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Congo

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Cape Starling demonstrates impressive agility through its undulating flight patterns, swift ground movements, and ability to perform complex aerial displays during communal roosting. Their adept manoeuvring whilst following large mammals for food further showcases their nimble nature.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly powerful for their size, Cape Starlings possess adequate strength for their lifestyle. Their medium build (80-100g) allows them to effectively forage on the ground and defend nest cavities, though they're not notably strong compared to other similarly-sized birds.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Highly adaptable birds that thrive across diverse habitats from woodlands to urban areas. Their omnivorous diet, successful colonisation of human-modified environments, and ability to utilise various nesting sites demonstrate remarkable adaptability. Their stable population in changing environments further supports this rating.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Whilst not overly aggressive, Cape Starlings display moderate territorial behaviour during breeding season and will defend their nesting sites. Their social nature typically leads to more cooperative rather than aggressive interactions, though they can be assertive when necessary.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

These birds exhibit solid endurance, evidenced by their ability to maintain large foraging territories, participate in extended communal roosting displays, and actively feed throughout the day. Their successful adaptation to various elevations (up to 2,000m) also suggests good stamina.

Cape Starlings are omnivorous, with a diet of fruits, insects, and small invertebrates. They often forage on the ground, probing the soil with their beaks.

These birds are also known to follow large mammals, feeding on insects disturbed by their movement.

Cape Starlings are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks. They have a distinctive undulating flight pattern and are known for their agile movements on the ground.

These birds are vocal and frequently engage in communal roosting, creating impressive aerial displays before settling for the night.

Cape Starlings are known for their diverse vocal repertoire. Their calls include a variety of whistles, warbles, and chattering sounds.

They often mimic other bird species and even make mechanical noises. A common call is a high-pitched 'wee-wee-wee' or a melodious 'tswee-tswee-tswee'.

Cape Starlings typically breed during the warmer months, from September to March. They form monogamous pairs and often return to the same nesting sites year after year.

Nests are built in tree cavities, rock crevices, or man-made structures. The female lays 2-5 pale blue eggs with brown speckles. Both parents participate in nest building and incubation.

The incubation period lasts about 13-15 days, with chicks fledging after approximately 22-28 days. Parents continue to feed the young for several weeks after they leave the nest.

The Cape Starling typically lives for 2 to 5 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

The Cape Starling is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its adaptability to human-modified environments and wide distribution contribute to its stable population.

However, like many birds, it faces challenges from habitat loss and climate change, particularly in more arid regions of its range.

Look for large flocks in open woodland areas and near human settlements
Listen for their varied vocalisations, including whistles and chattering calls
Observe their iridescent plumage, which changes colour depending on the angle of light
Check fruiting trees, where they often gather to feed

Main predators of Cape Starlings include birds of prey such as hawks and falcons, as well as snakes and small mammals that can access their nests.

Cape Starlings can form mixed-species flocks with other starling species.
Their iridescent feathers are not pigmented but create colour through light refraction.
These birds play a role in seed dispersal, contributing to ecosystem health.

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