The lesser blue-eared starling or lesser blue-eared glossy-starling is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa (savanna belt)
Typical Environment
The lesser blue-eared starling occurs widely from West Africa across the Sahel and Sudanian zones into Central and parts of East and Southern Africa. It favors open woodland, wooded savanna, and agricultural mosaics, and readily uses towns, villages, and grazing areas. Birds are often seen near water sources and along edges where trees meet open ground. They form communal roosts in tall trees or reedbeds near human settlements.
Altitude Range
0–2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This glossy starling shows dazzling structural colors that shift between blue and green depending on the light. It thrives in open savannas and human-altered landscapes, often foraging around livestock and farm fields. Pairs nest in cavities such as old barbet or woodpecker holes and may join loose colonies. Its bright yellow-orange eye and compact build help distinguish it from the larger Greater Blue-eared Starling.
An immature bird in Ghana, moulting into adult plumage
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
direct, fast flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often in small to medium flocks, especially outside the breeding season, and uses communal roosts. Breeding pairs nest in tree cavities or holes in structures, lining nests with grasses and feathers. Both parents incubate and feed the young, and birds can be quite bold around people and livestock.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A varied mix of chatters, whistles, and metallic notes delivered from exposed perches. Calls carry well over open savanna and within villages, with excited chattering during flock interactions.
