Hildebrandt's Starling
Lamprotornis hildebrandti
The Hildebrandt's Starling (Lamprotornis hildebrandti) is a rare rhabdornis, starlings, and myna found in 2 countries, weighing about 56 g. Hildebrandt's starling is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae.
About the Hildebrandt's Starling
Hildebrandt's starling is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It forms a superspecies with and has previously been included in the same species as Shelley's starling, a migratory species ranging from Ethiopia and Somalia to Kenya. Both of these species have also been combined into a superspecies with the chestnut-bellied starling of West Africa. It was originally placed in the now defunct genus Notauges. The species is named for Johann Maria Hildebrandt, a German collector who was the first European to obtain specimens.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Hildebrandt's starling is 18 cm (7.1 in) in length and weighs 50 to 69 g (1.8–2.4 oz). The adult has bright iridescent plumage on its upper body and upper surfaces. As in its relatives, this iridescence is derived from the interference of reflected light from regimented microscopic feather structures and not from pigments. The head is blue as are most of the upperparts, the wings are bronze-green with blue primaries, the throat and upper breast are glossy purple, and the tail is glossy blue-green. The middle breast and upper belly are orange-buff and the lower belly is rufous.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Hildebrandt's Starling can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Hildebrandt's Starling?
- Hildebrandt's starling is 18 cm (7.1 in) in length and weighs 50 to 69 g (1.8–2.4 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Hildebrandt's Starling?
- The Hildebrandt's Starling is a small sized bird weighing about 56 g.
- Where can you see a Hildebrandt's Starling?
- The Hildebrandt's Starling occurs in 2 countries, including Kenya and Tanzania.
- What birds look similar to a Hildebrandt's Starling?
- The Hildebrandt's Starling is most easily confused with the Splendid Starling, the Purple Starling and the Long-tailed Glossy Starling.
- Is the Hildebrandt's Starling endangered?
- The Hildebrandt's Starling is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Hildebrandt's Starling for real
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