Bird · GBIF taxon 7341507
Rüppell's Starling
Lamprotornis purpuropteraAlso known as Rueppell's Glossy-Starling, Rueppell's Long-Tailed Starling, Purple-Tailed Starling
Rüppell's starlings are striking, long-tailed glossy birds that sweep across East African savannas in noisy social groups. Their iridescence shifts from violet-purple to deep blue-green depending on the angle of sunlight, contrasting sharply with pale yellow eyes. Pairs and small flocks vocalize with a complex array of harsh squeaks, fluid whistles, and chatter while foraging on the ground or in thorny acacia trees.
GlossySavannaVocal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Termites
- Beetles
- Berries
Predators
- Raptors
- Snakes
- Domestic Cats
ThreatsLocal habitat loss and tree clearing
HabitatsWooded savanna, open thornbush, riverine woodland, cultivated land
Life span8–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilySturnidae
- GenusLamprotornis
- SpeciesLamprotornis purpuroptera
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look for long-tailed silhouettes gliding low between acacia trees in morning light.
- Listening: Listen for harsh squeaks and fluid whistling duets echoing from tree canopies.
- Photography: Use high shutter speeds in bright sunlight to capture full feather iridescence.
Genus Relative (c) Lip Kee, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Lip Kee Yap, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Genus Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Jean-Paul Boerekamps · cc0
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