Lamprotornis unicolor
The Ashy Starling (*Lamprotornis unicolor*) is a distinctive medium-sized passerine, notable among its glossy relatives for its remarkably uniform and unadorned plumage. Measuring approximately 20-22 cm (8-9 inches) in length and weighing 55-69 grams, its entire body is a dull, matte ash-grey, entirely lacking the iridescent sheens characteristic of other *Lamprotornis* species. This monochromatic appearance makes its vivid, crimson-red eyes a particularly striking and key field mark, providi...
Occupies dry open acacia woodlands, savanna, and thorny bushlands, typically at elevations between 500 and 1,500 meters.
Omnivorous, feeding mainly on insects (especially beetles, ants, and termites) gleaned from the ground, supplemented by a significant intake of fruits, particularly figs and berries.
Diurnal and highly gregarious, Ashy Starlings spend their days actively foraging, often in noisy, large flocks that can number in the hundreds, before gathering at communal roosts in dense trees or thickets at dusk. Their foraging strategy primarily involves ground gleaning, where they walk or ho...
The Ashy Starling is a resident species, with its geographic distribution primarily centered in eastern Africa. Its core breeding and year-round range encompasses central and northern Tanzania, extending across the majority of Kenya. The species' presence also reaches into the eastern parts of Ug...
Least Concern
- Despite being a *Lamprotornis* species, its plumage is entirely dull ash-grey, lacking the characteristic metallic sheen seen in its glossy relatives. - Its vibrant crimson-red eyes provide a striking contrast to its otherwise muted coloration, serving as its most distinguishing feature. - Ashy...