H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

Violet-backed Starling – Spec. Name: Cinnyricinclus leucogaster

This is a sub-Saharan African bird that belongs to the Sturnidae bird family group which includes birds such as Starlings, Mynans, Oxpeckers.

Violet-backed Starling

The Violet-backed Starling has a height of  approximately 18 cms and weighs around 45 gms. The head is colored purple while the bill is colored black. The Violet-backed Starling has white breast down to the under-tail, a purple colored throat, black legs and a purple coloured back. The eyes are brown.

The  Violet-backed Starling is strongly sexually dimorphic.

This bird forages for food on the ground, also attacks its prey aerially and feeds while flying or takes the prey to a safe place and then proceeds to eat.

This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants.

All photographs and text are © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101