6-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)

Burchell's Starling is a large, iridescent blue-green starling found in southern African savannas, known for its long, rounded tail and habit of foraging on the ground or scavenging for food near humans. It is a monogamous, sedentary species that breeds in tree cavities and feeds on invertebrates, fruit, and berries. Burchell's Starling's name honors the English naturalist William John Burchell. 

Appearance and identification Color: Large, with an iridescent blue-green to purple glossy plumage.Distinguishing features: Has a long, rounded tail and a blue-green forehead and crown.Size: Approximately \(30\) cm long, weighing about \(74\)–\(138\) g. 

Habitat and range Habitat: Dry and mesic woodlands and savannas in southern Africa, particularly near large thorn trees.Range: Found in countries including Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia. Behavior and diet Foraging: Often forages on the ground, walking with long strides, and also perches in trees.

Diet: Omnivorous, eating insects, other invertebrates, fruit, berries, and sometimes scavenging for scraps near human settlements like picnic sites.Social behavior: Typically seen alone, in pairs, or small flocks. 

Breeding Nesting: Nests are built in tree cavities and lined with materials like grass, leaves, feathers, and snake skins.Eggs: Lays \(2\)–\(4\) eggs, with incubation by the female for about \(14\) days.Parental care: Both parents feed the chicks after they hatch, and the young leave the nest around three weeks of age. 

6-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)

Burchell's starling (Lamprotornis australis) or Burchell's glossy-starling is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. The monogamous and presumably sedentary species is native to dry and mesic woodlands and savannah of southern Africa. The name of this bird commemorates the English naturalist William John Burchell.

This species is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is absent from miombo woodland, but is present in westerly gusu woodlands.

In the Kalahari they associate with camelthorn trees and also feed on their flowers. Their food includes flowers, fruit and small animals. They breed during the summer months.

General Habitat is open woodland and savanna, avoiding miombo woodland; associated particularly with camelthorn trees (Acacia erioloba) or knobthorn (Acacia nigrescens). To 1500 m; below 500 m in E lowveld of South Africa.

The species is not threatened and is locally common in conservation areas.

Burchell's starling is a starling native to southern Africa, found in countries like South Africa, Angola, and Botswana, and is not a migrant.

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14931-Lamprotornis-australis

6-4-2019 LINYANTI, BOTSWANA - BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14931-Lamprotornis-australis

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14931-Lamprotornis-australis

6-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis) PHOTO COURTESY MRS VALERIE FISHER

Burchell's starling (Lamprotornis australis) or Burchell's glossy-starling is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. The monogamous and presumably sedentary species is native to dry and mesic woodlands and savannah of southern Africa. The name of this bird commemorates the English naturalist William John Burchell.

This species is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is absent from miombo woodland, but is present in westerly gusu woodlands.

In the Kalahari they associate with camelthorn trees and also feed on their flowers. Their food includes flowers, fruit and small animals. They breed during the summer months.

The species is not threatened and is locally common in conservation areas.

7-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)

Burchell's starling (Lamprotornis australis) or Burchell's glossy-starling is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. The monogamous and presumably sedentary species is native to dry and mesic woodlands and savannah of southern Africa. The name of this bird commemorates the English naturalist William John Burchell.

This species is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is absent from miombo woodland, but is present in westerly gusu woodlands.

In the Kalahari they associate with camelthorn trees and also feed on their flowers. Their food includes flowers, fruit and small animals. They breed during the summer months.

The species is not threatened and is locally common in conservation areas.

7-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)

Burchell's starling (Lamprotornis australis ) or Burchell's glossy-starling, is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. The monogamous and presumably sedentary species is native to dry and mesic woodlands and savannah of southern Africa. The name of this bird commemorates the English naturalist William John Burchell.

The Burchell's starling, or Burchell's glossy-starling, is a striking member of the Sturnidae family, bearing the scientific name Lamprotornis australis. This species is a monogamous bird, presumed to lead a sedentary lifestyle within its native range.

Burchell's starling is well-adapted to the dry and mesic woodlands as well as the savannah regions of southern Africa. It notably avoids miombo woodlands but is found in the westerly gusu woodlands.

This species graces the landscapes of several countries in southern Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

It is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The species is absent from miombo woodland, but is present in westerly gusu woodlands.

In the vast expanses of the Kalahari, Burchell's starlings are known to associate with camelthorn trees. The breeding habits of these birds are synchronized with the summer months.

The diet of Burchell's starling is quite varied, encompassing flowers and fruit, as well as small animals. They are also known to feed on the flowers of the camelthorn trees with which they associate.

Fortunately, Burchell's starling is not currently facing the threat of extinction. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and is locally common within conservation areas.