| Golden-breasted starling | |
|---|---|
 | |
| AtNational Aviary,Pittsburgh | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Sturnidae |
| Genus: | Lamprotornis |
| Species: | L. regius |
| Binomial name | |
| Lamprotornis regius (Reichenow, 1879) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Thegolden-breasted starling (Lamprotornis regius), also known asroyal starling, is a medium-sizedpasserine in thestarling family.
The golden-breasted starling has a very large range. It is distributed inNortheastern Africa, fromSomalia,Ethiopia,Kenya and northernTanzania.[2] These birds inhabit thegrassland,savannah, the thickets of acacias, dry-thorn forests andshrubland.[3]
Widespread throughout its habitat range, the population trend of the golden-breasted starling appears to be stable. The species is evaluated as being ofleast concern on theIUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[1]
Lamprotornis regius can reach a body length of about 35 cm (14 in). The adult has a metallic green head and upper back, bright golden yellow breast and belly, darkbill and legs, whiteiris and metallic violet blue on wings, back, neck and its long tail feathers.[3] Both sexes are similar. The young are duller than the adult.
The golden-breasted starling is asocial animal, living in groups of three to twelve individuals.[3] Adults can be found from January to June and from August to November, with a peak in January.[4]
The golden-breasted starling molts once a year, after the breeding season. These birds are monogamous. The female usually lays between three and five pale green eggs with red speckles. It nests in tree holes, usually in tree holes that woodpeckers have left. The nest is made from leaves, roots and other vegetation. Entire family groups cooperate in raising young by gathering food and nesting materials.[3]
In contrast to other brilliant starlings, which feed mainly on fruits, their diet consists mainly ofinsects andtermites. Adult birds catch insects in flight and dig up termite mounds to find prey.[3] Snails, spiders, crustaceans, or small vertebrates, such as lizards, sometimes integrates the diet.
