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Starling

Starlings

Metallic Starling
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family†:Sturnidae
Genera
Aplonis
Poeoptera
Grafisia
Onychognathus
Lamprotornis
Aplonis
Aplonis
Cinnyricinclus
Speculipastor
Neochicla
Spreo
Cosmoparus
Sarroglossa
Creatophora
Fregilupus (extinct)
Sturnus
Leucopsar
Basilornis
Streptocitta
Sarcops
Scissirostrum
† See also Myna, Oxpecker

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturndidae. Starlings occur naturally only in the Old World, some forms as far east as Australia, but several European and Asian species have been introduced to North America, and Australia where the Common Starling is a serious pest.

They are medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Several species live around habitation, and are effectively omnivores.

Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. Most species nest in holes, laying blue or white eggs.

Many species are named as mynas, and the genus Lamprotornis is the African glossy-starlings, showned below. Two Buphagus species are named as oxpeckers.

Species list:

Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens