Poeoptera lugubris
The Narrow-tailed Starling, *Poeoptera lugubris*, is a sleek and charismatic member of the Sturnidae family, endemic to the moist forests of West and Central Africa. Measuring approximately 18-20 cm in length, including its remarkably long and slender tail, this species presents a uniform glossy blue-black plumage that shimmers with iridescent purples and greens in good light. Its most distinctive field mark is undoubtedly its elongated, pointed tail, which sets it apart from many other fores...
This starling primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, thriving in the upper canopy layer. It can be found from lowland to montane forests, often adapting to secondary growth and mature plantations.
The diet of the Narrow-tailed Starling is omnivorous, consisting primarily of insects such as beetles, termites, and caterpillars, supplemented by a significant intake of fruits. They forage arboreally, gleaning insects and plucking fruits directly from trees.
Narrow-tailed Starlings are highly diurnal, spending most of their active hours foraging and socializing within the forest canopy. They typically roost communally in dense foliage, often alongside other starling species. Their foraging strategy is arboreal, involving active gleaning of insects fr...
The Narrow-tailed Starling boasts a wide distribution across the tropical moist broadleaf forests of West and Central Africa. Its breeding range spans from Sierra Leone and Guinea eastward through Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea (including Biok...
Least Concern
- The 'lugubris' in its scientific name is Latin for 'mournful' or 'somber,' a curious choice for such an active and often noisy bird with iridescent plumage. - Its exceptionally long, tapering tail can account for over a third of its total body length, giving it a distinctive, streamlined silhou...