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ID tip
The magpie starling is about 16–19 cm (6.5–7.5 in) in length. The white patches at base of primaries are obvious in flight. The male is a shiny blue-black on upperparts, head and upper breast, with mostly white below and bloodred eyes. The female is a dull blackish above with dark grey crown, and a dark grey throat is separated from white belly by a glossy black breast band. Her eyes are red or orange-red. The Juvenile is brown with a white belly; eyes brown, becoming orange-red in as the bird matures. Exceptional young birds are entirely white below, including chin and throat.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Magpie Starling
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Magpie Starling
The map shades 4 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Uganda.
About the Magpie Starling
The magpie starling is a member of the starling family from eastern Africa.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Fiery-browed StarlingEnodes erythrophrisThe fiery-browed starling is 27–29 cm (10.6–11.4 in) long.
Striated StarlingAplonis striataThe striated starling is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae.
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