Greater Blue-eared Starling

Afrikaans name: Groot-blouoorglansspreeu

Photo © Steven Herbert

Lamprotornis chalybaeus

South Africa is home to a number of species of 'glossy' starling including this one - the Greater Blue-eared Starling. It occurs from the north-eastern regions of South Africa up to Senegal and Ethiopia.

These starlings are quite gregarious and may be found in small flocks. At night they are extremely gregarious and get together in large flocks at favourite roosting sites.

The Greater Blue-eared Starling mainly eats insects but it does like figs as well. Most of the time it can be seen on the ground looking for insects. It may perch on mammals and feed off their ticks.

They make their nests in holes in trees. They don't excavate their own nests so they will re-use a woodpecker or barbet nest or find a natural cavity.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	738	Lamprocolius chalybeus sycobius
2nd	738	Lamprocolius chalybaeus
3rd	738	Lamprocolius chalybaeus
4th	738	Lamprotornis chalybaeus
5th	765	Lamprotornis chalybaeus
6th	765	Lamprotornis chalybaeus
7th	800	Lamprotornis chalybaeus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	738	Blue-eared Glossy Starling
2nd	738	Blue-eared Glossy Starling
3rd	738	Blue-eared Glossy Starling
4th	738	Blue-eared Glossy Starling
5th	765	Greater Blue-eared Starling
6th	765	Greater Blue-eared Starling
7th	800	Greater Blue-eared Starling

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	738	Blouoor-glansspreeu
2nd	738	Blouoor-glansspreeu
3rd	738	Blouoor-glansspreeu
4th	738	Blouoor-glansspreeu
5th	765	Groot-blouoorglansspreeu
6th	765	Groot-blouoorglansspreeu
7th	800	Groot-blouoorglansspreeu

References and further reading

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 76

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 313

Wild Issue 39 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 74

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 400

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 674

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 672

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 366

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 524

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 514

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 397

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 304

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 194

Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 29

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 286

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 386

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 386

Know your Garden Birds - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 31

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 241

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 74

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 198

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 107

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 280

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds