Hylopsar cupreocauda
The Copper-tailed Starling, *Hylopsar cupreocauda*, is a striking member of the Sturnidae family, renowned for its dazzling iridescent plumage that captivates observers in the dense rainforests of West and Central Africa. Measuring approximately 20-22 cm (8-9 inches) in length and weighing around 50-65 grams, its sleek, glossy black body shimmers with deep purples, blues, and greens, transitioning into a distinctive coppery-bronze on its tail, which is its most reliable diagnostic field mark....
This species primarily inhabits lowland primary rainforests and mature secondary growth, showing a preference for the middle to upper canopy. It is typically found at elevations below 1,000 meters (3,300 feet).
The Copper-tailed Starling's diet consists mainly of insects, particularly beetles, ants, and termites, supplemented significantly by various small fruits and berries. They primarily forage in the tree canopy, gleaning and plucking.
Copper-tailed Starlings are largely arboreal, spending most of their time foraging in the canopy, though they occasionally descend to lower strata. They are often observed singly, in pairs, or small family groups, but may gather in larger mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season, particul...
The Copper-tailed Starling is a resident species distributed across the Upper Guinea and Lower Guinea forests of West and Central Africa. Its range extends from Sierra Leone and Liberia eastward through Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin, into southern Nigeria and Cameroon. Further south, popu...
Least Concern
- The Copper-tailed Starling's iridescent plumage is not due to pigment, but rather to microscopic feather structures that refract light, creating its dazzling, ever-changing colors. - Its scientific genus, *Hylopsar*, translates roughly to 'forest starling', perfectly reflecting its preferred de...