Birds diurnal

Greater Blue-eared Starling

Lamprotornis chalybaeus

The Greater Blue-eared Starling is a living jewel of the African savanna, draped in shimmering metallic plumage that shifts with every move. A bold and vocal presence, this social bird is a favorite for backyard observers and wildlife photographers alike.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 22–24 cm (8.7–9.4 in); Wingspan: 36–42 cm (14–16.5 in); Weight: 75–105 g (2.6–3.7 oz)

palette

Colors

Bright iridescent blue-green throughout; dark blue or magenta ear-coverts; bright yellow or orange eyes; violet-purple belly.

visibility

Key Features

Vivid iridescent blue-green plumage
Prominent dark 'ear' patch behind the eye
Striking yellow or orange irises
Relatively short, square-ended tail
Black bill and legs

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 6-10 AM and 3-6 PM

calendar_month

Season Year-round

restaurant

Diet Omnivorous; feeds on a variety of insects (termites, grasshoppers, beetles), fruits, berries, and occasionally nectar from flowering trees.

park

Habitat Open woodlands, savanna, riverine bush, and increasingly common in suburban gardens and urban parks.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

The Greater Blue-eared Starling is a highly social and gregarious bird, rarely seen alone. Outside of the breeding season, they form large, noisy flocks that move across the landscape in search of food. They are bold and opportunistic, often found following large herbivores like cattle, zebras, or elephants to snatch up insects disturbed by their movement. In suburban environments, they are equally confident, frequently visiting garden bird baths and feeders.

Their vocalizations are one of their most distinct traits, consisting of a complex and often loud series of whistles, chirps, and 'squeaky-gate' sounds. They are excellent mimics and will incorporate the calls of other birds into their own songs. During the breeding season, they are cavity nesters, often utilizing old woodpecker or barbet holes in trees, which they defend with significant vigor against intruders.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the stunning metallic luster of the Greater Blue-eared Starling, lighting is your most critical factor. The iridescent feathers rely on light refraction to show their true colors; in deep shade, these birds can look surprisingly dark and dull. Position your AI camera so it faces away from the sun but receives plenty of bright, indirect morning light. A 45-degree angle to the sun is ideal for catching the blue-green 'sheen' without blowing out the highlights on their feathers.

These starlings are particularly fond of water, especially in drier regions. Setting up your camera near a shallow, stone-lined bird bath is the most effective way to get high-action shots. They are vigorous bathers, so use a fast shutter speed or high-frame-rate video setting to freeze the water droplets. Mounting the camera at a low height—roughly 2 to 3 feet—will provide a much more engaging, eye-level perspective than a high-mounted security style angle.

If you are using a feeder to attract them, go for an open platform or tray feeder rather than a hanging tube. These birds prefer to land and walk around while they forage. They are highly attracted to suet, mealworms, and soft fruits like papaya, figs, or halved oranges. Because they travel in groups, try to set a wider field of view on your lens to capture the social dynamics and the characteristic wing-flicking displays they perform when interacting with flock mates.

For those using motion-sensing cameras, the Greater Blue-eared Starling's quick movements can sometimes lead to 'empty' triggers if the sensor isn't fast enough. Set your camera to record short video clips (10-15 seconds) rather than just stills. This allows you to capture their unique hopping gait and their wide range of vocalizations. During the winter months, when food is scarcer, they become much more regular visitors, making this the peak time to gather consistent footage.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Greater Blue-eared Starling.

Lesser Blue-eared Starling

Smaller in size with a shorter bill and more uniform blue color, lacking the strong purple belly contrast.

Cape Starling

Lacks the dark 'ear' patch and has a more uniform blue-green gloss across the entire body.

Meves's Starling

Much longer, graduated tail and a more uniform purplish-blue sheen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Greater Blue-eared Starlings are strictly diurnal and are most active in the early morning shortly after sunrise and again in the late afternoon before they return to communal roosts.

The best way to attract them is by providing a reliable water source for bathing and offering a variety of foods like suet, mealworms, and fresh fruit on an open platform feeder.

They have a varied diet including insects like termites and ants, as well as various wild fruits, berries, and even nectar from plants like Aloes.

Yes, they are highly adaptable and are very common in suburban gardens, parks, and agricultural areas throughout their range in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Greater Blue-eared Starling has a distinct dark magenta or blue-black ear patch and a violet-purple belly, whereas the Cape Starling (Lamprotornis nitens) lacks the ear patch and has a more uniform greenish-blue appearance.

Record Greater Blue-eared Starling at your habitat

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

Join free Identify a photo