Animalia Life
Neocichla gutteralis
SUBFAMILY
Sturninae
TAXONOMY
Crateropus gutturalis Barbosa du Bocage, 1871, Angola. Two
races are recognized.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Sprйo а gorge noire; German: Weissflьgelstar; Spanish:
Estornino de Alas Blancas.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
8.7–9.4 in (22–24 cm); weight 2.3–2.5 oz (64–72 g). Gray
brown head with dark wings and tail; white wing patches are
conspicuous in flight. Black throat patch and buff underparts.
Eyes yellow.
DISTRIBUTION
Disjunct populations known from western Angola (N. g. gutturalis)
and Zambia west to northwestern Malawi, and in central
and southwestern Tanzania (N. g. angusta).
HABITAT
Open Brachystegia woodland with open understory.
BEHAVIOR
Found in pairs and small flocks; usually seen on the ground.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds primarily on and close to the ground on a diversity of
insects, especially termites and beetles; forages by running and
searching; often forages just after sunset.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Apparently a cooperative breeder. Nests in tree cavities lined
with lichens, moss, and grass; clutch size from one nest was
two smooth white eggs with red-brown spots on a bluish base;
nestlings have been found in October–November.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
Photo Gallery of - Babbling starling
