24-12-2023 BAKAU, GAMBIA - LONG TAILED GLOSSY STARLING (Lamprotornis caudatus)

The long-tailed glossy starling (Lamprotornis caudatus) is a member of the starling family of birds. It is a resident breeder in tropical Africa from Senegal east to Sudan.

This common passerine is typically found in open woodland and cultivation. The long-tailed glossy starling builds a nest in a hole. The normal clutch is two to four eggs.

This ubiquitous bird is gregarious and noisy, with a harsh grating call.

The adults of these 54 cm (21 in) long birds have metallic green upperparts, violet underparts and a 34 cm (13 in) long purple tail. The face is black with a yellow eye. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller, with a brownish tone to the plumage.

A large, extremely long-tailed, dark and glossy starling. Sometimes looks black, but in good light shows iridescence that is mostly blue-green, with a purple belly and tail. Found in a wide variety of savanna habitats as well as in cultivated areas. Often on the ground, typically in small flocks. Similar to Rüppell's Starling, but longer-tailed and more blue-green overall. The loud and complex vocalizations include a mix of rattles, scratches, and piercing whistles.Like most starlings, the long-tailed glossy starling is an omnivore, eating fruit and insects.

The Long-tailed Glossy Starling is found in tropical Africa from Senegal east to Sudan. The sexes are similar. They are mostly blue-green with a bronze sheen. The wings have prominent black spots and the tail has dark barring. The eyes are creamy colored and the legs and bill are black. The tail adds an additional 13.4 in (34 cm) to the length. Juveniles are duller with a more browish tone. They are noisy with a harsh grating call.