Starlings
The Long-tailed Glossy Starlings (Lamprotornis caudatus) occur in tropical Africa. They are also known as Supple-tailed Glossy Starlings, Long-tailed Purple Starlings or Northern Long-tailed Glossy Starlings.
Distribution / Range
The Long-tailed Glossy Starlings’ range stretches from Senegal east to Sudan, where they are resident (non-migratory).
They are endemic to the following African countries:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, (northern) Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, (northern) Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, (southern) Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegambia (Senegal and Gambia), (west and east-central) Sudan and Togo.
They are vagrants to:
Sierra Leone
They are typically found in open woodland and cultivated areas.
Nesting / Breeding
Long-tailed Glossy Starlings typically nest in tree cavities. The average clutch consists of 2 – 4 eggs.
Call / Vocalization
Their vocalizations are harsh grating calls.
Description
The adults measure about 21 inches (54 cm) in length – including the ~ 13-inch (34 cm) tail.
The plumage above is metallic green; and the plumage below is mostly violet. The tail is glossy purple. The face is black. The eyes are yellow.
Males and females look alike.
Juveniles have a duller plumage with a brownish hue.
Diet / Feeding
The Long-tailed Glossy Starlings are fairly omnivorous, eating a variety of fruits, plant matter and insects.
Alternate (Global) Names
Chinese: ????? … Czech: Leskoptev dlouhoocasá … Danish: Langhalet Glansstær … Dutch: Groene Langstaartglansspreeuw, Groene Langstaart-glansspreeuw … Finnish: Pitkäpyrstökottarainen … French: Choucador à longue queue, Étourneau métallique à longue queue, Merle métallique à longue queue … German: Langschwanz-Glanzstar … Italian: Storno splendente codalunga, Storno splendido codalunga … Japanese: onagaterimuku … Norwegian: Langhaleglansstær, Langhalet glansstær … Polish: blyszczak dlugosterny, b?yszczak d?ugosterny … Russian: ????????????? ????????? ??????? … Slovak: liskavec dlhochvostý … Spanish: Estornino Brillante de Cola Larga, Estornino Colilargo … Swedish: Långstjärtad glansstare
Additional Resources
Species Research by Sibylle Johnson
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