The Greater Blue Eared Glossy Starling (scientific name Lamprotornis chalybaeus) is also called the Greater Blue Eared Starling. Its breeding grounds range from the westernmost part of Northern Africa all the way east to Ethiopia, and south through the southeastern part of Africa to South Africa. It is a migratory bird that likes open woodland clearings.
This starling measures 22 cm long, which is a little over 8 1/2 inches. It has a short tail and its body is a bluish-green color and, as its name suggests, its feathers have a glossy sheen. The bird’s belly is bluish-purple and it has blue ear patches. The irises of its eyes are orange or yellow. The male and female look very similar, but the young are not as bright and have brownish-black underbellies.
The Greater Blue Eared Glossy Starling likes to build its nest in holes that it finds in trees. The holes may be naturally formed, or the birds will occupy holes carved by woodpeckers or other animals. They lay 3-5 blue-green eggs that have purple or brown spots on them. It takes 13 or 14 days for the eggs to hatch, and the baby birds remain in the nest for 23 days after they hatch.
Diet
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