LONG-TAILED GLOSSY

PASSERIFORMES : Sturnidae :

Species: caudatus

Range: Tropical from Senegal east to Sudan Habitat: Open woodland and cultivation Niche: Omnivorous, arboreal/terrestrial, diurnal Wild diet: primary diet of and Zoo diet: Life Span: (Wild) (Captivity) 17.8 years Sexual dimorphism: none Location in SF Zoo: African Aviary

APPEARANCE & PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS:

A small from the Starling family. Adults are metallic green upper body and violet breast with a purple tail. The underparts of these species lacks iridescence and may be blue, purple, yellow or brown. The face is black with a yellow eye. Juveniles have an overall brownish tone to its . Juveniles are duller with brownish hue.

Their long tails are used for balance and their feet are very good at gripping.

Weight:

Body Length: 21 in (including tail)

Tail length: 13 in

STATUS & CONSERVATION

This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion. It is listed as least concern. The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as common in most areas.

BIR- LONG-TAILED GLOSSY STARLING

COMMUNICATION AND OTHER BEHAVIOR

This is a gregarious species whose call is harsh and grating.

They are omnivorous and mostly feed on the ground, although they will take fruit from trees. The Starling feeds on fruit and insects, but specializes in capturing invertebrates using a method called open bill probing. The starling uses its sharp beak to penetrate the ground and catch small invertebrates hiding underneath the shallow surface. Some will feed on or near large mammals to find insects. They are non migratory.

COURTSHIP AND YOUNG

The Long-tailed Glossy Starling builds a nest in hole. The normal clutch is 2 to 4 eggs.

Incubation: Sexual Maturity: # of eggs: 2-4 Weight at birth:

MISCELLANEOUS

Starlings are divided into 2 sub-families with consisting of about 30 species and the having 2 species. Both males and females can mimic human speech.

Sources: created: 2007 http://beautyofbirds.com/longtailedglossystarlings.html http://www.jerusalemzoo.org.il/len/aecommerce/c2136/2938.php http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22710744/0

BIR-