Lamprotornis purpureus

(Müller, 1776)

Vernacular names
English : Purple starling
French : Choucador pourpré

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Sturnidae
Notes : 2 subspecies known.

Identification
Large glossy starling with black bill and bright orange-yellow eyes. Wings iridescent green, rest of plumage iridescent purple-blue with strong violet-purple iridescence on face and thighs.

Range and habitat
West and Central Africa, from Senegal to Cameroon and east to western Kenya. Found in open savanna woodlands and savannas with scattered trees, to 1500 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : This species is common to abundant, maybe the most abundant starling within its range. Previously collected in huge numbers for the bird feathers trade in Europe.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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