Wattled Starling

Afrikaans name: Lelspreeu

Wattled Starling

Photo © Steven Herbert

Creatophora cinerea

The Wattled Starling is found over most of South Africa. It can be abundant in an area at times and absent at other times.

As far as Starlings go these are quite small. They are around 21 cm in length and weigh about 70 grams.

During the breeding season the male is quite spectacular with his yellow and black head with black wattles. Outside of the breeding season the male has a predomiantly white head with smaller wattles. The back of the female is brownish and she has white underparts.

The Wattled Starling is normally found in flocks and hundreds of them come together at night to roost communally.

These Starlings eat insects, worms, nectar and some fruit.

They may breed at any time during the year. Wattled Starling make untidy nests in bushes or trees and their would typically be nests from a couple of pairs. They lay between 2 and 5 eggs.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	735	Creatophora carunculata
2nd	735	Creatophora cinerea
3rd	735	Creatophora cinerea
4th	735	Creatophora cinerea
5th	760	Creatophora cinerea
6th	760	Creatophora cinerea
7th	807	Creatophora cinerea

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	735	Wattled Starling
2nd	735	Wattled Starling
3rd	735	Wattled Starling
4th	735	Wattled Starling
5th	760	Wattled Starling
6th	760	Wattled Starling
7th	807	Wattled Starling

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	735	Vaal-spreeu
2nd	735	Sprinkaanvoel
3rd	735	Lel-spreeu
4th	735	Lel-spreeu
5th	760	Lelspreeu
6th	760	Lelspreeu
7th	807	Lelspreeu

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 174

Wild Issue 41 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 77

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 45

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 312

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 370

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 404

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 522

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 669

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 667

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 509

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 396

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 306

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 42

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 290

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 382

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 382

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 196

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 239

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

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 186

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 110

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 200

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 201

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 256

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 105

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 43

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 43

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 276

BirdLife South Africa

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