MyKrugerHoliday
Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source ↗
Burchell's Starling
Grootglansspreeu · Lamprotornis australis
A large, glossy starling that shimmers deep blue and purple in the sunlight, with a long, broad tail and a dark eye. It walks confidently on the ground with a rolling gait, hunting for insects, fruit, and scraps. Bigger and longer-tailed than the glossy starling, it is a bold bird often seen around camps and picnic sites, eyeing visitors' lunches.
Log your Burchell's Starling sighting — free →How to identify it
Larger and longer-tailed than the Cape glossy starling, with a dark (not bright orange) eye.
Listen for its call
Soft chuckling chortles and chatter — gentler than the glossy starlings.
Where to see it in Kruger
Common in woodland and around camps and picnic sites, especially in the central and northern park.
Did you know
Bold and clever, these starlings hang around picnic spots and quickly learn to snatch crumbs the moment your back is turned.
Often confused with
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