Birds diurnal

Burchell's Starling

Lamprotornis australis

With its shimmering metallic plumage and bold personality, the Burchell's Starling is a true jewel of the Southern African savanna. This large, social bird is a frequent visitor to gardens, captivating observers with its melodic whistles and iridescent glow.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 30–34 cm (12–13.5 in); Weight: 75–115 g (2.6–4 oz); Wingspan: Approx. 45–55 cm (18–22 in)

palette

Colors

Dazzling iridescent metallic green and blue plumage with purple-bronze highlights; distinct yellow-to-orange iris; black bill and legs

visibility

Key Features

Extraordinarily large for a starling
Broad, rounded tail that appears heavy and paddle-like
Deep iridescent purple-blue ear patches
Confident, ground-walking gait
Bright yellow-orange eyes

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 6:30 AM - 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM

calendar_month

Season Year-round

restaurant

Diet Omnivorous; primarily feeds on insects like termites, beetles, and grasshoppers, but also consumes fruit, seeds, and nectar.

park

Habitat Dry and mesic woodlands, acacia savanna, and suburban gardens near natural bushveld.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

The Burchell's Starling is a charismatic and highly social bird, often seen in pairs or small family groups patrolling the African savanna. Unlike some of its more skittish relatives, this species has a confident, almost swaggering gait as it walks across the ground searching for food. They are known for being quite vocal, producing a variety of raspy, chattering, and melodic whistles that can dominate the morning soundscape of the bushveld.

These starlings are monogamous and tend to be sedentary, meaning they stay in the same general area throughout the year. They are frequent visitors to campsites and gardens within their range, showing a curious and bold temperament. They often interact with larger mammals, sometimes following them to catch insects disturbed by their movement, showcasing a clever and opportunistic survival strategy.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescence of a Burchell's Starling, camera placement is everything. Since these birds are primarily ground foragers, set your AI-powered camera low to the ground—ideally between 6 and 12 inches high. Angle the lens slightly upward to catch the sunlight hitting their feathers, which will transform their dark appearance into a brilliant display of metallic greens and purples. Position the camera near open patches of short grass or under the shade of acacia trees where they frequently peck for insects.

If you are looking to attract them specifically to your camera's field of view, a shallow, wide birdbath is your best tool. Burchell's Starlings are enthusiastic bathers, and the splashing action often triggers motion sensors, resulting in dynamic, high-energy footage. During the dry season, providing a consistent water source is the most effective lure you can offer. If you use bird feeders, place them near the ground or on low platforms, as these birds prefer staying low rather than balancing on hanging feeders.

For camera settings, use a fast shutter speed or a burst photo mode. Burchell's Starlings are active and jerky in their movements, and a slower shutter will result in motion blur. Since they are most active in the golden hours of the morning and late afternoon, ensure your camera has a high dynamic range (HDR) setting enabled to handle the high-contrast lighting of the African sun. In suburban settings, place the camera near the edge of a garden where it meets natural scrubland, as they like having a quick escape route into dense foliage.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Burchell's Starling.

Cape Glossy Starling

Smaller with a shorter, squared tail and a more uniform green-blue sheen across the body.

Greater Blue-eared Starling

Smaller with a distinct dark blue-black ear patch and a shorter tail compared to the Burchell's.

Meves's Starling

Distinguished by a much longer, graduated tail and a more slender overall body shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Burchell's Starlings are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. They are usually seen foraging on the ground shortly after sunrise and again before sunset, taking shelter in trees during the hottest part of the day.

The most effective way to attract Burchell's Starlings is to provide a low-profile birdbath or water feature. They also enjoy areas with short-mown grass where they can forage for insects, and will occasionally visit ground-level feeding stations offering fruit or suet.

Their diet is diverse and omnivorous. While they primarily hunt for ground-dwelling insects like termites and beetles, they also feed on wild fruits, seeds, and even nectar from flowering trees like aloes.

Yes, they are relatively common in suburban gardens across Southern Africa, particularly those that are near open woodlands or savanna parks. They are bold birds and adapt well to human presence.

Burchell's Starlings are significantly larger and have a notably broad, rounded tail, whereas the Cape Glossy Starling has a shorter, square-ended tail. Burchell's also lacks the distinct magenta patch on the flank found on the Cape Glossy.

Record Burchell's Starling at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo