Lamprotornis acuticaudus
The Sharp-tailed Starling (Lamprotornis acuticaudus) is a captivating medium-sized passerine, typically measuring around 23 cm (9 inches) in length and weighing 60-75 grams. Its plumage is a spectacle of iridescent metallic blue-green across the head, back, and wings, transitioning to a deep purplish-blue on the belly and vent. The most striking field mark is its distinctly long, graduated, and wedge-shaped tail, featuring sharply pointed central rectrices that give the species its descriptiv...
Inhabits dry woodlands, savannas, and especially Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) woodlands, favoring open areas with scattered trees and found at low to moderate elevations up to 1,500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming a wide variety of insects including grasshoppers, beetles, and termites, complemented significantly by fruits, berries, and seeds, predominantly foraging on the ground.
Highly gregarious, Sharp-tailed Starlings are frequently observed in small to large flocks outside the breeding season, often associating with other glossy starling species. They primarily forage on the ground, employing a walk-and-peck technique, but also glean insects and fruits from arboreal f...
The Sharp-tailed Starling is an endemic resident of south-central Africa, with its year-round distribution spanning across Angola, the southern Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, western Zimbabwe, northern Botswana, and northern Namibia. Its presence is strongly linked to dry woodlands and sav...
Least Concern
- The Sharp-tailed Starling's common name perfectly describes its most distinctive feature: a long, pointed, wedge-shaped tail. - Its iridescent plumage can shift from brilliant metallic blue-green to purplish-blue depending on the angle of light, a stunning display of structural coloration. - It...