Purple Starling

Lamprotornis purpureus

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernOmnivoreShrublandCavity nestMedium · 113 g

ID tip

The adults of these stocky 22–23 cm long birds have a metallic purple head and body, and glossy green wings. They have a short tail and a yellow eye. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are much duller, with grey underparts and a brown iris.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Purple Starling

One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is December, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Purple Starling

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 20 countries with regular records, and 5 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 Spain, United Kingdom, Congo - Kinshasa, France, Hong Kong SAR China.

About the Purple Starling

The purple starling, also known as the purple glossy starling, is a member of the starling family of birds.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Side by side: Hildebrandt's Starling vs Purple Starling · Chestnut-bellied Starling vs Purple Starling

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