Lamprotornis chloropterus
The Lesser Blue-eared Starling (Lamprotornis chloropterus) is a strikingly iridescent passerine, measuring 18-19 cm in length and weighing between 50-68 grams. Its plumage is a dazzling metallic blue-green over most of its body, transitioning to a slightly darker, more violet-blue on the wings and tail, while the underparts often show more green. A key identification mark is its vivid, bright yellow eyes that stand out against its shimmering head, and the absence of the prominent dark ear pat...
This adaptable starling primarily inhabits open woodlands, savannas, thornbush, forest edges, and cultivated areas, often thriving in proximity to human settlements from sea level up to moderate elevations.
This omnivorous species feeds predominantly on a diverse range of insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and termites, supplemented by various fruits, berries, and occasionally nectar.
Lesser Blue-eared Starlings are diurnal and highly social, often seen foraging in small to large flocks, sometimes mixing with other glossy starling species or even livestock. They primarily forage on the ground, walking or running to glean insects and fallen fruits, but also readily search for f...
The Lesser Blue-eared Starling boasts a wide distribution across Sub-Saharan Africa, generally split into two main subspecies. *L. c. chloropterus* occupies West Africa, ranging from Senegal eastwards through Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Central African Repub...
Least Concern
- The dazzling, metallic colors of the Lesser Blue-eared Starling are structural, meaning they result from light refracting off microscopic feather structures rather than from pigments. - It is one of many species within the genus *Lamprotornis*, collectively known as 'glossy starlings' due to th...