Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Burchell’s Starling
Lamprotornis australis
Burchell's Starling (Lamprotornis australis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Burchell’s Starling (Lamprotornis australis) is a member of the Sturnidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 101 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 Lamprotornis
- Species australis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 101 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Burchell’s Starling is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Burchell’s Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Burchell’s Starling (Lamprotornis australis) belongs to the Sturnidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF sc.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 101 g, with a wing length of about 17.6 cm and a tail of around 15.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Burchell’s Starling?
The Burchell’s Starling is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 101 g.
Where does the Burchell’s Starling live?
The Burchell’s Starling is found across Africa with a range covering AF sc, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Burchell’s Starling belong to?
The Burchell’s Starling (Lamprotornis australis) belongs to the Sturnidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Burchell’s Starling eat?
The Burchell’s Starling is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Burchell’s Starling migrate?
The Burchell’s Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Burchell’s 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 Burchell’s Starling make?
1 real field recording of the Burchell’s Starling — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Burchell’s Starling's range?
The Burchell’s Starling has a mapped global range of about 1.6 million 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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