Superb Starling - Lamprotornis superbus

The Superb Starling is found in East Africa and in certain areas such as Kenya they are very common. Both sexes are similar in plumage. The head, bill, legs and feet are black. The breast, nape and part of the crown is blue, the belly and flanks are a bright cinnamon. A small white line separates the cinnamon and blue at the belly. The wings and back are a mixture of blues, greens, and black. The undertail and wing linings are white. Juvenile plumages are duller.

The Superb Starling and the Hildebrandt's Starling are very similar. They are both found in East Africa, but the Hildebrandt's eyes are red instead of the white eyes of the Superb Starling.

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Juvenile

Juvenile 02/13/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Juvenile 02/13/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA	Juvenile Superb Starling being fed 02/13/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Juvenile Superb Starling being fed 02/13/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA	Juvenile Superb Starling being fed 02/13/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Juvenile Superb Starling being fed 02/13/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA
02/15/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA 02/15/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA

Adult

03/26/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA 03/26/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA	02/13/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA 02/13/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA	02/13/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA 02/13/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA
09/03/2013 - Bird Kingdom, Niagra Falls, ON, Canada 09/03/2013 - Bird Kingdom, Niagra Falls, ON, Canada	12/10/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA 12/10/2013 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA

Diet: The Superb Starling is a ground feeder and eats insects, seeds and fruit.

Courtship: Outside of the breeding season, they will roost together in large flocks. Courtship includes small jumps on the ground, trailing wings, and an outstretched neck. Pairs are believed to be monogamous.

Nesting: Superb Starlings' nests are bulky and built of grass, leaves, and twigs. They are usually built in a thorn bush but some are built in cliff holes. Both the male and female build the nest and share in the incubation and feeding of the young. Usually 2-5 blue-green eggs are laid and they are altricial (helpless) at birth.

Habitat and Range: The superb starling is found throughout East Africa including Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania. In some areas they are very common. They are found in woodlands and thorn bush and agricultural fields. They are also found near human settlements and urban parks.

Vocalization: The Superb Starling has a long and loud song consisting of trills and chatters. At midday it gives a softer song of repeated phrases. There are several harsh calls, the most complex of which is described as "a shrill, screeching skerrrreeee-cherrrroo-tcherreeeeeet."

Plumage/Molt Superb Starlings do not have an alternate or breeding plumage. They have a complete annual molt usually completed after the breeding season.

Migration: Not a migratory bird.

Tongue/feet: I am assuming their tongue is like other starlings. If so, their tongue is medium length and thin and it is used to manipulate food.

Bibliography:

• http://en.wikipedia.org The Free Encyclopedia, Accessed July, 2012
• http://www.kenyabirds.org.uk/ Kenya Birds, Accessed July, 2012
• http://www.lazoo.org Los Angeles Zoo, CA., Accessed July, 2012
• http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk Paignton Zoo, England, Accessed July, 2012
• http://www.sfzoo.org San Francisco Zoo, CA, Accessed July, 2012
• http://www.riverbanks.org/subsite/pact/sturnids.pdf The Sturnidae Husbandry Manual and Resource Guide by Greg Bockheim and Susan Congdon, Accessed July, 2012

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