Nov 3

Bird of the day

Fischer's starling

Lamprotornis fischeri

Fischer's starling (Lamprotornis fischeri) is a bird which is an uncommon resident breeder from southern Ethiopia and Somalia to eastern Kenya and Tanzania. It is found in dry open acacia thornbush.

The English and scientific names commemorate the 19th century German explorer of East Africa Gustav Fischer.

The adult of this 18 cm (7.1 in) long, 51 g (1.8 oz) starling has mainly dully ash-grey plumage except for a white lower chest, belly and undertail. It has a white iris and dark bill. The sexes are alike, but the juvenile has browner plumage, a brown iris and a dull yellow lower mandible. There are no subspecies.

This species has a number of calls, but the most familiar is a wheezing cree-wee-creewoo. There is also a loud whistle and a metallic song.

Aliases

Lamprotornis fischeri

Range

Range map of Fischer's starling

Data retrieved on October 15, 2025 at 5:24 AM