Lamprotornis caudatus
The Long-tailed Glossy Starling (*Lamprotornis caudatus*) is a striking avian jewel of West and Central Africa, immediately recognizable by its exceptionally elongated, graduated tail, which can measure up to 34 cm – nearly twice its body length. This medium-sized starling reaches a total length of 50-54 cm, adorned with dazzling metallic green-blue iridescence across its head, back, and breast, transitioning to a dark purplish-blue on its belly and vent. Its piercing bright yellow eyes offer...
This highly adaptable species primarily inhabits open woodlands, savannas, thornbush, and acacia country, often found in proximity to human cultivation and settlements. It thrives across low to mid-elevation landscapes, typically below 1800 meters.
An omnivorous species, its diet predominantly consists of insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and termites, supplemented by various fruits, berries, and seeds, which are primarily acquired through ground foraging and gleaning from vegetation.
The Long-tailed Glossy Starling is a highly social and diurnal bird, often observed foraging and moving in large, noisy flocks outside the breeding season, which then disperse into smaller, more territorial pairs or groups for nesting. These flocks gather at communal roosts in trees or reedbeds a...
The Long-tailed Glossy Starling boasts a wide distribution across West and Central Africa, extending from Senegal and The Gambia eastward through the Sahel and Sudanian zones. Its range encompasses countries such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, the Central African Re...
Least Concern
- The Long-tailed Glossy Starling's tail can be up to 34 cm long, making it nearly twice the length of its body! - Despite its extravagant tail, it is an agile flyer, navigating dense branches and performing aerial insect catches with ease. - Unlike many starling species, this bird has striking b...