Amethyst starling

Physical Features

• Males have an iridescent, metallic purple head and back and white underparts. Females have  brownish upper parts and a pale underside with dark streaks. 

• Small (relative to other starlings) with short tail and pointed wings. Dark legs and short dark beak.

• This is a HIGHLY dimorphic species, though the young will resemble the hen until about one year of age when the adult plumage comes in on male birds.

• These birds typically measure in about 7 inches (18 cm) and weigh approximately 1.5 ounces (45 g)

Diet: Omnivore

• Wild – Insects (both taken off branches or caught in mid-flight); fruit collected from trees (primarily from the fig tree)

• Zoo – Softbill diet, bugs and chopped fruit

Reproduction

• Usually monogamous, pairs of amethyst starlings will find a tree hole from 6 to twenty feet off the ground (often left over from a previous avian tenant) where the female will lay the eggs. Both sexes feed the young.

• Laying dates depend on bird location:  Oct-Feb in Botswana, Oct-Jan in Zimbabwe and South Africa, often between Feb-Mar in Namibia.

• Females lay 2 to 4 pale blue eggs with reddish-brown spots that will be incubated for 12-14 days.  The chicks leave the nest 17-21 days later.  The young may be preyed upon by greater and lesser honeyguides as well as the usual threats.

Interpretive Information

• These birds have beautiful coloration with very obvious sexual dimorphism.

• Captive specimens have been known to mimic other sounds.

• The genus name, Cinnyricinclus, means “shining thrush” in Greek.

• It is one of over a hundred and twenty-six species of starling.

Updated June 2008