Emerald Starling
Lamprotornis iris
Emerald Starling (Lamprotornis iris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Emerald Starling (Lamprotornis iris) is a member of the Sturnidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 69 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 iris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 69 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Emerald 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 Emerald Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Emerald Starling (Lamprotornis iris) is a member of the Sturnidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 69 g, with a wing length of about 10.6 cm and a tail of around 7.7 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 149,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Emerald Starling?
The Emerald Starling is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 69 g.
Where does the Emerald Starling live?
The Emerald Starling is found across Africa with a range covering AF Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Emerald Starling belong to?
The Emerald Starling (Lamprotornis iris) belongs to the Sturnidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Emerald Starling eat?
The Emerald Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Emerald Starling migrate?
The Emerald Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Emerald 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 Emerald Starling make?
1 real field recording of the Emerald 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 Emerald Starling's range?
The Emerald Starling has a mapped global range of about 149,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Sturnidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.