Burchells starling

Introduction: Burchell's starling (Lamprotornis australis) can be found in forest savannah and woodland, mixed tree and shrub savannah, especially with camelthorn or knob thorn trees. They can often be observed with other glossy starling groups in flocks of up to 50 birds.

Distribution: Central and northern Namibia ranges including the Kavango Region, Etosha National Park and from Erongo east through the Otjozondjupa region.
Diet: Known to scavenge around picnic sites in game parks and reserves for locusts, centipedes, termites and at times small mice. Also takes berries, fruit and the flower of Acacia trees.

Description: Blue-green upperparts with purple sheen on the nape. Purple, tinged bronze rump and upper tail which has bold cross-barring. Dark blue flight feathers.
Breeding: Both male and female bring materials to a tree hole, crevice in a cliff or a hole in a building. From 2 to 4 eggs are laid from January to April and incubated by the female only for around 14 days.

Size: 30cm.

Weight: 100g.