Red-winged Starling

Onychognathus morio

Other Names

  Redwing Starling, African Red-winged Starling   Rufipenne morio   Rotschwingenstar     Tjocknäbbad rödvingestare   Roodvleugelspreeuw   Storno Ali Rosse

World: Africa - found down the eastern side of the continent from Sudan and Ethiopia through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and eastern South Africa.

Kenya: Widespread around rocky cliffs and gorges (and in cities)between 600-4100m - although most commonly found between 1000-2400m.

Occurs in pairs or small groups originally in and around rocky outcroppings, but it has moved into urban areas where it uses buildings as alternate nesting and roosting sites. It can travel a considerable distance from its nest site to forage for food in open country. It eats large quantities of fruit and may be an important seed dispersal agent for some Acacia species, but it will also eat insects such as termites, beetles and locusts, often hawking for smaller prey.

Males and females can be distinguished by their head colour. The picture above shows the male on the left with its glossy blue-black sheen while the female (on the right) has a uniform ashy-grey colour to the head. Red-winged Starlings nest on ledges and, despite being aggressive towards other birds, they may nest in small colonies. They regularly mob predators such as the African Harrier-Hawk.