Field Guide
Rüppell’s Starling
Lamprotornis purpuroptera Swahili: Kuzi Mkia-mrefu
- Type
- Bird
- Daily Rhythm
- Diurnal
- Diet
- Omnivorous
- Conservation Status
- least concern
- Weight
- 80-90 g
- Size
- 35 cm
Rüppell’s starling was named after the German explorer Wilhelm Rüppell, who traveled in north Africa in the 1800s and is known for his zoological collections.
These birds are often found in small flocks.
Rüppell’s starlings have a range of songs that includes harsh sounds, sweet notes, and some mimicry. They can sometimes be heard in the middle of the night.
Active during the day, they are ground foragers that are always in motion, often in pairs or small groups.
Least concern
These starlings forage for insects and fruit, and look for food scraps at camp sites.
Monogamous pairs nest in tree holes or in holes formerly occupied by woodpeckers, and line nests with dung and sticks. While both parents incubate the eggs, females more often feed the chicks and are sometimes assisted by offspring from a previous brood.
This bird, like other starlings, is common in Kenya.
These birds are found in some parts of Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.
