Lamprotornis is a large genus of glossy-starlings all of which occur in Africa south of the Sahara. They have glossy blue or green upper parts, which is due to hollow melanin granules arranged in a single layer near the feather barbule's surface. This unique arrangement led to some glossy starlings formerly placed in the genus Spreo being transferred to Lamprotornis, since they shared this feature (but see also below).
The under parts of these species lack iridescence. They may be blue, purple, yellow or brown. Most Lamprotornis starlings have striking yellow or red irides and some have long tails.
These glossy starlings are found in a variety of habitats from forests to open woodland and gardens. They nest in tree holes, either natural, or made by woodpeckers or barbets, and some will use man-made structures. Most species are resident apart from seasonal or local movement, but Shelley's starling is migratory. Most species are gregarious outside the breeding season.
Lamprotornis glossy-starlings are omnivorous and mostly feed on the ground, although they will take fruit from trees. Some will feed on or near large mammals to find insects.
The limits of this genus require revision. For example, the black-bellied starling is sometimes placed in a separate genus Notopholia, and it (and possibly others) appears to be indeed well distinct. On the other hand, genera such as Coccycolius, Spreo and Compsarus are sometimes included in Lamprotornis.(Zuccon et al. 2006)
References
^Temminck, Coenraad Jacob (1820). Manuel d'ornithologie, ou, Tableau systématique des oiseaux qui se trouvent en Europe (in French). Vol. Part 1 (2nd ed.). Paris: H. Cousin. p. 55 (LV).
^Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2018). "Nuthatches, Wallcreeper, treecreepers, mockingbirds, starlings, oxpeckers". World Bird List Version 8.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
Feare, Chris & Craig, Adrian (1999): Starlings and Mynas. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-7136-3961-X
Zuccon, Dario; Cibois, Anne; Pasquet, Eric & Ericson, Per G.P. (2006): Nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data reveal the major lineages of starlings, mynas and related taxa. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution41(2): 333–344. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.05.007 PMID 16806992 (HTML abstract)
External links
Media related to Lamprotornis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Lamprotornis at Wikispecies
May 01, 2023
lamprotornis, large, genus, glossy, starlings, which, occur, africa, south, sahara, they, have, glossy, blue, green, upper, parts, which, hollow, melanin, granules, arranged, single, layer, near, feather, barbule, surface, this, unique, arrangement, some, glos. Lamprotornis is a large genus of glossy starlings all of which occur in Africa south of the Sahara They have glossy blue or green upper parts which is due to hollow melanin granules arranged in a single layer near the feather barbule s surface This unique arrangement led to some glossy starlings formerly placed in the genus Spreo being transferred to Lamprotornis since they shared this feature but see also below LamprotornisGreater blue eared starling L chalybaeus chalybaeusScientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesOrder PasseriformesFamily SturnidaeGenus LamprotornisTemminck 1820SpeciesAbout 20 see textThe genus Lamprotornis was introduce by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1820 1 The type species was subsequently designated as the long tailed glossy starling 2 The under parts of these species lack iridescence They may be blue purple yellow or brown Most Lamprotornis starlings have striking yellow or red irides and some have long tails These glossy starlings are found in a variety of habitats from forests to open woodland and gardens They nest in tree holes either natural or made by woodpeckers or barbets and some will use man made structures Most species are resident apart from seasonal or local movement but Shelley s starling is migratory Most species are gregarious outside the breeding season Lamprotornis glossy starlings are omnivorous and mostly feed on the ground although they will take fruit from trees Some will feed on or near large mammals to find insects Species EditThe genus contains 23 species 3 Cape starling Lamprotornis nitens Greater blue eared starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus Lesser blue eared starling Lamprotornis chloropterus Miombo blue eared starling Lamprotornis elisabeth Bronze tailed starling Lamprotornis chalcurus Splendid starling Lamprotornis splendidus Principe starling Lamprotornis ornatus Emerald starling Lamprotornis iris Purple starling Lamprotornis purpureus Ruppell s starling Lamprotornis purpuroptera Long tailed glossy starling Lamprotornis caudatus Golden breasted starling Lamprotornis regius Meves s starling Lamprotornis mevesii Burchell s starling Lamprotornis australis Sharp tailed starling Lamprotornis acuticaudus Superb starling Lamprotornis superbus Hildebrandt s starling Lamprotornis hildebrandti Shelley s starling Lamprotornis shelleyi Chestnut bellied starling Lamprotornis pulcher Ashy starling Lamprotornis unicolor Fischer s starling Lamprotornis fischeri Pied starling Lamprotornis bicolor White crowned starling Lamprotornis albicapillusThe limits of this genus require revision For example the black bellied starling is sometimes placed in a separate genus Notopholia and it and possibly others appears to be indeed well distinct On the other hand genera such as Coccycolius Spreo and Compsarus are sometimes included in Lamprotornis Zuccon et al 2006 References Edit Temminck Coenraad Jacob 1820 Manuel d ornithologie ou Tableau systematique des oiseaux qui se trouvent en Europe in French Vol Part 1 2nd ed Paris H Cousin p 55 LV Dickinson E C Christidis L eds 2014 The Howard amp Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World Vol 2 Passerines 4th ed Eastbourne UK Aves Press p 377 ISBN 978 0 9568611 2 2 Gill Frank Donsker David eds 2018 Nuthatches Wallcreeper treecreepers mockingbirds starlings oxpeckers World Bird List Version 8 1 International Ornithologists Union Retrieved 11 May 2018 Feare Chris amp Craig Adrian 1999 Starlings and Mynas Princeton University Press ISBN 0 7136 3961 X Zuccon Dario Cibois Anne Pasquet Eric amp Ericson Per G P 2006 Nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data reveal the major lineages of starlings mynas and related taxa Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 41 2 333 344 doi 10 1016 j ympev 2006 05 007 PMID 16806992 HTML abstract External links Edit Media related to Lamprotornis at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Lamprotornis at Wikispecies Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lamprotornis amp oldid 1068285452, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
