African Birds: Superb Starlings

Africa is birder's paradise. In Kenya and Tanzania, I spotted over 100 different species -- and those were just the flashiest ones that were easy for an amateur to identify and remember. A serious birder could have easily spotted another hundred species.

I ended up with a gazillion bird photos -- so, the next week (or two?) is going to be African Bird Week on India Ink. Those of you who are not into birds (that means you, Donna...) might want to take a break from the blog, or go read some previous entries, ok?

I'll start off with one of my favorites: the Superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus). Its splash of iridescent blue was hard to miss; they seemed to be on every acacia tree (below).

Bath time!

Its close cousin Hildebrandt's starling (Lamprotornis hildebrandti) looks similar, except it has a red, instead of white, eyering (above).

Flamingos   /  Fish eagle  / Vulture   /  Black-necked weaver   /  Storks and herons   /  Lilac-breasted roller   /  White-headed buffalo weavers and D'Arnaud's barbets  /  Crested cranes  /  Helmeted guineafowl   /  Flying flamingos   /  Ostrich  /  Secretary bird

tags: africa  safari  birds  superb starling