several types of African starlings distinguishes itself through its strongly shiny or iridescent plumage, why they were summarized to the type-group "Shine-star."
The most known types consider to be one of the actual shine-starlings (type Lamprotornis). As plumage-colors, metallic green, blue and purple predominate here, the usually yellow iris of the eye is conspicuous. The langschwänzigen representatives of this type gain a length of 50 cm, Z. B. the ore-shine-star or long-tail-star (Lamprotornis caudatus, tail-length 30 cm). The kurzschwänzigen types are smaller, as the splendor-shine-star (L). splendidus, 25 cm of length. Most types are noisy and showy.
The king-shine-star (Cosmopsarus regius, 30-35 cm of length) is regarded as the most splendid shine-star. The slim bird has a long, stepped tail. its upper side and the throat iridescence shining green-blue, its front-breast violet. The gold-yellow stomach stands in strong contrast by the coloring of the upper side; is its eyes knows.
The king-shine-star lives sociably in small groups, is, however, shy in general and rarely is seen. it lives in dry brushland and the thornbush-savanna and is widespread as stand-bird or part-pickpockets from East-Ethiopia up to the northern half from East-Tanzania.
The three-color-shine-star (Lamprospreo super-bus, 21 cm of length) is among the smaller types. This stocky working, kurzschwänzige star has stomach auburn a shining. it usually picks up its food (insects and fruits) from the ground - often under or close to acacia-trees. it lives in the thornbush or acacia-savannas, is trustful mostly and without fear before the human being and likes to also be near human settlements.
Also the two-color-star (Spreo bicolor, 27 cm long) is widespread, that brown with white stomach and with it much less colorfully as is its relatives.
A large group of shine-starlings (15 types) is colored primarily black-violet, to which Z. B. the red-swing-star (Onychognathus morio, 30 cm long) is counted. Only the bay swinging attracts attention in the flight opposite the dark plumage; its eyes are red. it lives in pairs or in groups, preferably at rocky hillsides, abysses and cliffs of the Senegal as far as to the cape-province, one even finds it on buildings in the city-middle of Nairobi (Kenya).
Scientific name: