Lamprotornis nitens
Cape Glossy Starlings are a common feature of bushveld-savanna (especially thornveld) and woodland habitats in Southern Africa, and have of late become increasingly abundant in towns and suburbs where it takes advantage of discarded scraps and garden bird feeders. Its natural diet consists of fruit and insects.
They are gregarious birds, forming large flocks outside of the summer breeding season and often also associating with other kinds of starlings. Nests are built in holes in trees (or similar artificial structures, even post boxes!) and often used for many consecutive years by the same pair. Clutches are made up of between 2 and 6 eggs, incubated by the female. Mating pairs often have as many as 6 helpers assisting in the feeding of the latest brood.
The Cape Glossy Starling has a common and stable population throughout its range, which includes Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa (all provinces except the Western Cape), Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and is considered of least concern by the IUCN.
Those eyes!!!
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They certainly do draw attention with those eyes and shiny plumage!
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It’s glossy sheen is very attractive and love your head-on shots showing up the devilishly handsome yellow eyes .
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Their eyes really are striking!
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Great shots of a beautiful bird. The cape glossing starling is a very beautiful bird, even “ours” we have here in Europe is beautiful, but because it´s so common you don´t notice it when you are a “normal human” 🙂
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That’s very true, John – same applies to impalas (antelope) here in South Africa’s game reserves.
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So pretty! Like a blue-black color.
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Real show-offs!
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Pretty!
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And don’t they know it!
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