ID of above bird:Common (European Starling) (Sturnus vulgaris) # R757A smallish, dark starling with white spots and a slender pointed bill. Size 20-22 cm - smaller than a Laughing Dove, much larger than a sparrow. Afrikaans: Europese Spreeu
The Common Starling is an urban bird, mainly of the southern parts of the country. The bill is short conical and tapered to a sharp point. The bill is yellow (breeding) or greyish. The legs and feet are reddish-brown.
The Common Starling is completely blackish or brown, with small white spots covering most of the body. In breeding plumage, the spots are smaller, and not as visible - especially on the head, and the metallic green or purple sheen is more visible. The flight feathers are edged with buff, giving the wing a scaled appearance.
The bill is longer and more pointed than other starlings, and the tail appears short. It is also smaller than other starlings.
This is an introduced (alien) species, which has colonised towns and cities in the South-western Cape , the Eastern Cape . Also occurs but is less common in the Northern Cape , Free State and parts of KwaZulu-Natal. It is a common and abundant bird, found mostly in towns, where it is likely to be seen in gardens, in parks and adjacent farmland.
In the breeding season (summer) they are likely to be seen in pairs and small groups. In the non-breeding season, it forms large flocks, which may be seen on lawns and playing fields. It has a jaunty stride, with long swaggering steps, and walks actively around on the ground.
Common Starlings eat fruit, seeds, insects, spiders and worms.
The call is a rambling series of squeaky sounds, whistles, swizzles and phrases of imitations of other birds.
They nests from September to December. In areas where they are common, the laying may be highly synchronised. The nest is a loose bowl of grass, pine needles and straw, lined with fine grass, feathers, wool and moss. It is placed in a hole in a wall or tree, under the eaves of a building or in pipes or gutters.
Below some photo's to support identification with MH's excellent photo.
Note especially the yellow beak, shortish tail, pinkish legs and white spots on the upper body that distinguish it from the other starling offered as possible candidates.
Topic: Some wildlife Photo's (add yours) (Read 70763 times)
