Red-winged Starling

Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

The red-winged starling is a native of eastern Africa southwards from Ethiopia through eastern South Africa to the Eastern and Western Cape.  its range reflecst a preference for mountainous areas but it has also move into urban areas which provide nesting opportunities similar to those in its natural environment.  it is also found in farmland, fynbos, savannah and forest.  A highly gregarious bird, it gathers in large flocks outside the breeding season.

Feeding

The red-wing starling is a typical family member with an omniverous diet of seeds, berries and nectar coupled with invertebrates, insects and even some bird species such the African palm swift.  It is also a scavenger feeding on carrion and human food waste.  In rural areas, red-winged starlings perch on livestock and game and like oxpeckers, take insects and parasites.

Breeding

The red-winged nests on rocky cliffs, gorges and outcrops, or on a ledge on a building. The nest is constructed from grass and twigs with a  mud base. The female incubates wo to four eggs  brown spotted blue eggs while both parents rear the chicks. The red-winged starling  defends its territory aggressively and will attach intruders much larger than itself including domestic animals and humans.

Wildfile Extras

• The red-winged starling takes nectar only from plants that can take its weight and have easily accessible flowers such as aloe and protea.
• The red-winged starling is regarded as a pest in some areas because of its aggressive behaviour when nesting and its tendency to raid orchards in large numbers..