Bird Name:

Iris Glossy-starling

Latin Name:

Coccycolius iris

Status:

Deficient Data

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sturnidae

Genus: Coccycolius

Species: C. iris

General Information:

Another common name is the Emerald Starling. The scientific classification of the Iris Glossy-starling is disputed, with many placing it with other glossy-starlings in the genus Lamprotormis.
It is classified as "data deficient" by the IUCN. This means that it is unlikely to be seriously threatened with extinction, but that its status in the wild is in need of assessment. The "data deficient" status has been upheld since 2000.

Physical Description:

It is one of the smallest species of starlings, at about 7 inches in length. The Iris Glossy-starling has a metallic green crown, upper body, wings, and tail. The ear-coverts and underparts are metallic purple. The sexes are similar. They have a strong narrow beak. Juveniles are brown below, and brown green mixed above, with green wings.

Diet:

This species feeds on figs, berries and other fruits, seeds, ants and other small insects.

Habitat:

The Iris Glossy-starling is distributed in West Africa, from west and south-east Guinea, Sierra Leone and west-central Ivory Coast. It is found in orchard bush and wooded and open savannahs, where it keeps to the tops of tall trees. It often uses dead trees for perches. It avoids forests, but is occasionally found at the edge of gallery forests. Cup-shaped nest are built in tree cavities.

Reproduction:

Clutch consists of 2 to 4 pale blue eggs. The female does the majority of the incubation, which lasts 13 to 15 days. The female has a fully developed brood patch (bare spot on belly) that helps her to transfer heat more efficiently to the eggs.