Photo: Henrik Grønvold / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Somali Starling
Onychognathus blythii
Somali Starling (Onychognathus blythii) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Somali Starling (Onychognathus blythii) is a member of the Sturnidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 100 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 Onychognathus
- Species blythii
Quick facts
- Weight
- 100 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Somali Starling is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Somali Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Somali Starling (Onychognathus blythii) is a member of the Sturnidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Socotra.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 100 g, with a wing length of about 16.5 cm and a tail of around 16.7 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 283,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Somali Starling?
The Somali Starling is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 100 g.
Where does the Somali Starling live?
The Somali Starling is found across Africa with a range covering AF Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Socotra, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Somali Starling belong to?
The Somali Starling (Onychognathus blythii) belongs to the Sturnidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Somali Starling eat?
The Somali Starling is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Somali Starling migrate?
The Somali Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Somali 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 Somali Starling make?
1 real field recording of the Somali 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 Somali Starling's range?
The Somali Starling has a mapped global range of about 283,000 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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