Superb Starling
The Superb Starling, also known as the Spreo Superbus, is a medium-sized passerine bird that is native to East Africa, particularly in Tanzania and Kenya. It is known for its striking plumage, which consists of a glossy blue-black head, bright blue breast, and upper parts, and a deep rust-colored belly.
These birds are typically found in open woodlands and savannas, and they are known for their energetic and active behavior. They feed on a variety of insects, fruits, and seeds, and are often seen foraging on the ground or in trees.
In captivity, Superb Starlings are popular pets due to their attractive colors and active personalities. They require a spacious aviary with plenty of room to fly and exercise, as well as perches, toys, and other forms of stimulation. They also need a balanced diet that includes a variety of seeds, fruits, and vegetables, as well as live insects.
Superb Starlings are also known for their vocalizations, which consist of a variety of calls, songs, and mimicry. They are intelligent birds that can be trained to perform simple tricks and respond to human interaction. However, they can also be somewhat aggressive towards other birds, so it is important to ensure that they are housed with compatible species.
Scientific Name: Spreo superbus
Origin: East Africa
This is one of the most popular and beautiful of the glossy starling species. It has a very discordant cry, so is most often kept for its fabulous color and ease of taming. It is a good exhibition species. Whilst a single bird does not harm those of other species, a pair can be spiteful and murderous. A pair kept for breeding needs to be kept in a separate fight. This species likes to bathe, so provide a pool in the aviary, if possible.
Description:
Size: 20 cm (8 in)
COCK:
Head: blue. Back: green. Chest and stomach: chestnut. Upper breast: blue. A white band separates these two colors.
Beak: black. legs: black.
HEN:
The hen looks similar to the cock. This specie cannot be sexed by appearance, so observe behavior.
Diet: (Softbill)
Coarse-grade insectile mix, fruit, and live food are fed every day from the basic diet. All fruit should be chopped up into cubes. Raisins, sultanas, and currants are also enjoyed. Minced raw beef should be blended with the insectile mix, and all ingredients can be mixed in one dish.
Breeding:
Supply a pair with a large nest box with an entrance hole near the top. Try to give plenty of nesting material including hay, dried grasses, and roots. A large untidy nest is built filling the nest box.
Three to four eggs are laid and the incubation period lasts for 13 days. Plenty of live food is required, including mealworms, maggots, smooth-hacked caterpillars, and woodlice.
Chicks should be segregated from their parents as soon as they can feed themselves, or they may be attacked when a second round of eggs is laid.
Superb Starling Information
- The brilliantly colored bird is very common in the African country Kenya. The bird can be seen so often in the country that you are required to keep your eyes closed to avoid seeing the bird.
- The bird mainly inhabits woodlands, open grasslands, thorn bush, acacia as well as agricultural fields. But it has been able to adapt very well to the environments of human settlements.
- The bird is mainly found in large flocks and is far from the threat of extinction.
- These birds are perfect as aviary dwellers. Their inclusion of the bird adds color to the sight of the aviary.
- They prefer to build their nests on their own and the courtship is initiated by the male like other birds. During courtship both the sexes of the birds woo each other with short jumps on the ground, trailing their wings, and outstretching their wings.
- The song of the male can be varied. The sound of the son may range from chattering to whistling. The bird has also been reported to be mimicking the call of other bird species.
Apart from Kenya, the bird is largely found in countries like countries in east Africa Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
See more: Star Finch