Onychognathus nabouroup
The Pale-winged Starling (Onychognathus nabouroup) is a striking member of the Sturnidae family, readily identifiable by its glossy, iridescent black plumage contrasted sharply with prominent, pale, almost white primary flight feathers, highly visible in flight. Males typically exhibit a deeper blue-black iridescence, while females may be slightly duller with fine, dusky streaking on the head and neck, though sexual dimorphism can be subtle. Measuring approximately 23-27 cm in length and weig...
Found primarily in arid and semi-arid rocky landscapes, including cliffs, gorges, mountain slopes, and escarpments, often at varying elevations. It also adapts to human-modified structures like bridges and buildings in suitable rocky terrain.
Omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and termites, supplemented significantly by fruits, berries, and nectar from aloes and other flowering plants.
Pale-winged Starlings are diurnal and highly social, often seen in pairs during breeding season or in larger flocks, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, outside of it. They forage actively, primarily gleaning insects from rocks and the ground, but also consuming fruits and nectar. Known for thei...
The Pale-winged Starling is endemic to the arid and semi-arid regions of southern Africa. Its primary distribution encompasses Namibia, southern Angola, Botswana, and significant portions of South Africa and Lesotho. Within South Africa, it is widely distributed across the Cape Provinces, Norther...
Least Concern
- The Pale-winged Starling's most distinctive feature, the pale primary feathers, become particularly luminous and eye-catching during flight, aiding in species identification from a distance. - Unlike many starlings, this species is highly adapted to extreme arid environments, relying on rocky o...