The Red-winged
Starling - Onychognathus morio - is endemic to eastern Africa, from Ethiopia to the Western Cape,
South Africa.
This species has a wide habitat tolerance. It generally prefers rocky outcrops
and gorges in highland grasslands, occasionally visiting forests for fruit.It is now common in many urban
areas, due to the similarity between the structure of tall buildings and houses
as nest sites with the cliffs of its original habitat. It also nests in
residential areas.
Description
The male has a
mainly iridescent black plumage, with chestnut flight feathers, which are
particularly noticeable in flight. The female has an ash-grey head and upper
breast. The juvenile resembles the male, but is less glossy than the adults,
and has brown rather than dark red eyes.
Call
This species has
a number of whistled calls, but the most familiar is the contact call, cher-leeeoo.
Food
Red-winged
Starling is an omnivore, taking a wide range of seeds, berries, nectar from
plants and invertebrates. Fruit species that this species may feed on include
figs, date palm fruit, berries from species such as wild olive and commercial fruit.
In rural areas, Red-winged Starlings are often spotted perching on livestock
and game and may take insects and ticks, much like Oxpeckers. It may take
nestlings and adults of certain bird species and will also scavenge on carrion
and human food scraps.
Breeding
They are
territorial, aggressive and intolerant when nesting, and will attack other
species, including domestic animals and humans. It is monogamous with pairs
staying together for several years, possibly for life. When not breeding,
Red-winged Starlings are highly gregarious and will associate with other
members of their species in large flocks. This starling is a cliff nester,
breeding on rocky cliffs, outcrops and gorges. It builds a lined nest of grass
and twigs, and with a mud base, on a natural or structural ledge. The Egg-laying
season is from September-March. It
lays 2 to 5, usually three, blue eggs, spotted with red-brown. The female
incubates the eggs for between 13 to 14 days to hatching. They fledge in
another 22 to 28 days. It may be parasitized by the Great Spotted Cuckoo.
Conservation Status – Least Concern
They are not
endangered and it can be a pest in some areas, raiding orchards and attacking
people that wander too close to their nests.
Birdwatching
This striking Starling
can be seen on the following Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North East
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West Birding Tour
/ Safari Adventure.
Aves Western Cape Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves West Coast
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.