Cape Glossy Starling

The Cape Glossy Starling is a common, gregarious starling of southern Africa, prized for its dazzling iridescent plumage. Both sexes look alike, appearing almost entirely metallic blue-green with a violet sheen across the wing coverts, catching different hues depending on the angle of light.

It is a stocky, short-tailed starling with a slightly decurved bill and a bold, confident manner, often seen perched conspicuously on fences, wires, or rooftops.

Key field marks

• Medium-sized starling, glossy blue-green overall with a violet-blue wing patch
• Bright orange-yellow eye, a useful mark at close range
• Short, squared tail and stocky build
• Sexes similar; juveniles are duller and sootier with brown eyes

Similar species

• Greater Blue-eared Starling and other glossy starlings look similar but usually show more contrasting ear patches or different eye color and are best separated with care in areas of overlap; the Cape Glossy Starling's orange eye and range in the far south help confirm identity.
• Violet-backed Starling males are unmistakably violet on the upperparts with a white belly, unlike the all-glossy Cape Glossy Starling.

Habitat and range

The Cape Glossy Starling occurs widely across southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique. It favors open savanna, thornveld, farmland, and has adapted readily to human-altered landscapes such as gardens, parks, and urban areas.

Migration

It is largely resident and non-migratory, though local movements occur in response to food availability, particularly around fruiting trees and insect flushes.

Behavior

Highly social, Cape Glossy Starlings are typically seen in noisy flocks, foraging on the ground or in trees and often mixing with other starling species. They are bold around people and readily visit gardens and picnic areas.

Voice

The call is a varied series of harsh chattering notes, squeaks, and whistles, often given in chorus by a flock.

Feeding

They feed on the ground and in vegetation, taking insects such as beetles and caterpillars, as well as fruit and nectar from flowering trees.

Nesting and breeding

Cape Glossy Starlings nest in tree cavities or old woodpecker and barbet holes, sometimes using nest boxes. They lay 3–4 pale blue eggs, and pairs may be assisted by helpers at the nest.