Golden-breasted Starling

Cosmopsarus regius

Other Names

    Spréo royal   Königsglanzstar   Mirlo metálico real   Guldbröstad praktstare, Kungsglansstare     Storno pettodorato

World: Africa - endemic to the NE from SE Ethiopia and Somalia through Kenya to NE Tanzania.

Kenya: Lowlands to the east of the Rift Valley.

This beautiful starling is found in pairs or small groups in dry, open bush and wooded areas. It would be difficult to confuse this bird with any other. It has a very slender appearance and the iridescent blues, greens and violet-reds of its back, head and chest contrast sharply with the golden-yellow underparts. It is very wary and easily disturbed (which makes it a difficult bird to photograph). Its diet consists primarily of insects (particularly beetles, ants and termites) although it will occasionally eat seeds. It may be seen feeding in groups alongside Fischer's Starling which is another dry country bird.

Golden-breasted Starlings nests in holes in trees and may use abandoned woodpecker or barbet nests. They breed during March-May and November-December which coincides with the rainy season in the areas they inhabit. They raise their young co-operatively with several birds feeding and tending the young.