Pale-winged Starling

Onychognathus nabouroup

A musical acrobat of Africa's rocky outcrops, this glossy starling stands out with its striking white wing patches that flash brilliantly during flight.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Pale-winged Starling is a striking bird with glossy black plumage covering most of its body. Its most distinctive feature is the pale wing pattern, showing cream-coloured and rufous patches visible during flight.

While males and females share similar colouring, males are typically slightly larger in size. Juveniles appear duller, with a brownish tinge to their plumage, less glossy feathers, and brown eyes compared to the orange-yellow eyes of adults.

Size

Length

25cm to 28cm

Wingspan

45cm to 50cm

Weight

94g to 122g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Brown

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Pale-winged Starling is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Pale-winged Starling is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Pale-winged Starling is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Pale-winged Starling is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Pale-winged Starling is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Pale-winged Starling is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Pale-winged Starling is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Pale-winged Starling can be found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Pale-winged Starling is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Pale-winged Starling is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Pale-winged Starling can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Pale-winged Starling is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Pale-winged Starlings are native to southern Africa, primarily found in Namibia, South Africa, and parts of Botswana. They inhabit arid and semi-arid regions, showing a preference for rocky outcrops, cliffs, and mountainous areas.

These birds are year-round residents in their range, with no significant seasonal movements. They are well-adapted to harsh, dry environments and are often associated with desert and semi-desert landscapes.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Arid, Semi-arid

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Pale-winged 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