Friday, October 19, 2012

CARL MARSHALL: Spreo starlings

Hi Jon,


We thought you might be interested to see our new Spreo starlings Lamprotornis superbus also known as the superb glossy starling, but not to be confused with the greater blue-eared glossy starling H. chalybaeus. These omnivorous, East African softbills show a brilliant iridescence when the sun shines on them earning them one of their common names - the superb starling. A 20cm (8") bird with a black head, glossy blue-green upper parts, rust coloured chest with white vent area, they are truly spectacular, looking kind of like a cross between a starling and a kingfisher. My father John Marshall bought them at the Stafford National Show run by the Parrot Society UK last week. My colleague Emma Bartholomew from the Butterfly Farm recently photographed this species while on safari in Uganda and she commented that they are possibly the most attractive birds she has ever seen.  

We agree!

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