Black-bellied Starling
Notopholia corusca
Black-bellied Starling (Notopholia corusca) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 7 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black-bellied Starling (Notopholia corusca) is a member of the Sturnidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 56.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Sturnidae Starlings, Rhabdornises
- Genus Notopholia
- Species corusca
Quick facts
- Weight
- 56.1 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-bellied Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Black-bellied Starling is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Black-bellied Starling (Notopholia corusca) is a member of the Sturnidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e, se.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 56.1 g, with a wing length of about 10.7 cm and a tail of around 7.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 496,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-bellied Starling?
The Black-bellied Starling is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 56.1 g.
Where does the Black-bellied Starling live?
The Black-bellied Starling is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, se, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Black-bellied Starling belong to?
The Black-bellied Starling (Notopholia corusca) belongs to the Sturnidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black-bellied Starling eat?
The Black-bellied Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Black-bellied Starling migrate?
The Black-bellied Starling is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Black-bellied Starling endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Black-bellied Starling make?
1 real field recording of the Black-bellied Starling — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black-bellied Starling's range?
The Black-bellied Starling has a mapped global range of about 496,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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