Lamprotornis purpureus
Purple Starling
Also widely known as the Purple Glossy Starling, a stocky, gregarious starling with a glossy purple head and body and green-glossed wings, plus a bright yellow eye. A common resident of open woodland, savanna, and villages/cultivated land across The Gambia and the wider Senegambia region.
Identification
Distinguished from other glossy starlings in the region by its short tail, metallic purple (not blue-green) head and underparts, and yellow iris; juveniles are duller with grey underparts and a brown eye.
Want to see the Purple Starling?
Join Yaya on a trip to one of the sites below, or ask about an itinerary built around it — he'll help you plan the best way to find it in the field.
Tours that target this bird
A carefully paced 15-day tour from the Atlantic coast through the mangrove-lined River Gambia and into the eastern part of the country, balancing serious birding with rest, wildlife and Gambian culture. Around 300 species are possible depending on season.
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A comprehensive birding, wildlife and nature tour combining the finest habitats of The Gambia with Northern Senegal's Saloum Delta — coastal wetlands, mangroves, woodland, rice fields, savannah and riverine forest, plus a boat excursion to the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar.
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