Photo: Ron Knight / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-collared Starling
Grafisia torquata
White-collared Starling (Grafisia torquata) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The White-collared Starling (Grafisia torquata) is a member of the Sturnidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 64 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 Grafisia
- Species torquata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 64 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-collared Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The White-collared Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-collared Starling (Grafisia torquata) belongs to the Sturnidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Cameroon, n Central African Republic and n DR Congo.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 64 g, with a wing length of about 12 cm and a tail of around 8.9 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 172,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-collared Starling?
The White-collared Starling is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 64 g.
Where does the White-collared Starling live?
The White-collared Starling is found across Africa with a range covering AF Cameroon, n Central African Republic and n DR Congo, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-collared Starling belong to?
The White-collared Starling (Grafisia torquata) belongs to the Sturnidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-collared Starling eat?
The White-collared Starling is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the White-collared Starling migrate?
The White-collared Starling is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-collared 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-collared Starling's range?
The White-collared Starling has a mapped global range of about 172,000 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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