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Bird. Burchell's glossy starlings draw a lot of attention to themselves with their looks and their voices. Standing with their heads flung back and their wings slightly dropped, they belt out a throaty, musical call. Roosting in acacia trees or reed beds, flocks of up to 50 birds might assemble in non-breeding seasons. They are “passerine” birds, meaning they perch in trees. Starlings have large feet, well made for walking. They waddle rather than hop when on the ground. Starlings are medium-sized birds, growing to 30 cm (1 ft) and 105 g (1/4 lb). Most starlings nest in holes, and their eggs are blue or white. |
| Scientific
Name |
Lifespan |
| Lamprotornis australis |
Up to 15 to 20 years |
| Diet |
| Omnivore. Termites, locusts, centipedes, other insects, small mammals like mice, berries, acacia flowers, and fruit. Usually feeds and scavenges on the ground. |
| Predators and Threats |
| Considered pests, humans are their biggest threat. |
| Habitat |
| Savanna and open woodland, avoiding areas without trees; Sub-Saharan Africa including Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. |
