Lamprotornis bicolor
The Pied Starling, *Lamprotornis bicolor*, is a striking member of the Sturnidae family, renowned for its distinctive black and white plumage. This relatively large starling measures approximately 27-30 cm in length and weighs between 100-140 grams, presenting a bold contrast with its glossy blue-black upperparts and pristine white belly. Key identification features include its bright orange-yellow eyes, stout black bill, and sturdy red-orange legs. Taxonomically, it belongs to the genus *Lam...
This species primarily inhabits open grasslands, karoo shrublands, agricultural fields, and fynbos at low to moderate elevations, often frequenting areas with livestock.
Pied Starlings are omnivorous, primarily consuming a wide variety of insects, especially dung beetles and grasshoppers, but also supplementing their diet with fruits, seeds, and nectar. They mainly forage on the ground, often in close association with grazing animals.
Pied Starlings are highly diurnal, spending much of their day foraging on the ground in open areas and forming communal roosts in trees or reedbeds at night. Their foraging strategy involves walking or running across the ground, probing the soil with their strong bills, and gleaning insects from ...
The Pied Starling (*Lamprotornis bicolor*) is endemic to Southern Africa, with a stable and widespread resident population. Its primary range covers much of South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), and Lesotho, extending across diverse landscapes from coastal fynbos to the arid Karoo and the Highveld ...
Least Concern
- Pied Starlings are well-known for their close association with domestic livestock, often walking among cattle or sheep to catch insects disturbed by the animals or to glean parasites from their backs. - They are cavity nesters and frequently reuse abandoned burrows dug by other animals, such as...