Photo: Rüppell, Eduard, 1794-1884 / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
White-billed Starling
Onychognathus albirostris
White-billed Starling (Onychognathus albirostris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The White-billed Starling (Onychognathus albirostris) is a member of the Sturnidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 137 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 albirostris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 137 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-billed Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The White-billed Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-billed Starling (Onychognathus albirostris) is a member of the Sturnidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane Eritrea and Ethiopia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 137 g, with a wing length of about 15.7 cm and a tail of around 12 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 163,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-billed Starling?
The White-billed Starling is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 137 g.
Where does the White-billed Starling live?
The White-billed Starling is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane Eritrea and Ethiopia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the White-billed Starling belong to?
The White-billed Starling (Onychognathus albirostris) belongs to the Sturnidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-billed Starling eat?
The White-billed Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the White-billed Starling migrate?
The White-billed Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-billed 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.
How large is the White-billed Starling's range?
The White-billed Starling has a mapped global range of about 163,000 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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