Pied Starling

Identification

The pied starling is a medium-sized starling measuring 27–28 cm in length, instantly recognizable by its striking plumage pattern. Adults display mainly dull black plumage with a distinctive glossy sheen, contrasting sharply with a white lower belly and undertail coverts. The bird's pale, staring white iris and yellow lower mandible complete a memorable facial appearance. The sexes are alike in appearance, though juveniles differ noticeably: they lack the glossy plumage of adults, possess a brown iris, and sport a dull yellow lower mandible.

The pied starling's vocalizations are equally distinctive. Its most recognizable call is a sharp, strident "skeer kerrra kerrra," which often betrays the bird's presence even before visual sighting. The species also produces a softer warbling song that contrasts with its harsher contact calls.

Range & Habitat

This species is endemic to southern Africa, occurring in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. While common across most of its range, it is largely absent from the arid northwest and the eastern lowlands of South Africa. The pied starling favors open habitats including grassland, karoo scrub, thornbush, and agricultural land, where it frequently associates with farm animals.

Behaviour & Diet

The pied starling is highly gregarious outside the breeding season, forming large flocks that sometimes exceed 1,000 birds. Like all starlings, it is an omnivore, but insects dominate its diet, particularly ants and termites. The bird supplements this with seeds, berries, and figs from gardens, as well as human food discards. A notable feeding behavior is its close association with livestock, where it forages on insects disturbed by grazing animals and perches on cattle and sheep to remove ectoparasites—a mutually beneficial relationship.

During breeding season, the pied starling nests in tunnels within river banks, though it readily adapts to holes in buildings, straw bales, natural tree cavities, and even wrecked ships. Females typically lay four eggs, though clutches range from two to six, and incubate for 14–16 days. Chicks fledge in 22–28 days and are fed by both parents assisted by helpers—usually subadult or unmated birds. This cooperative breeding is reinforced by mutual allofeeding, a behavior linked to the bright gape coloration retained unusually into adulthood. The species commonly raises two broods per season but may suffer parasitism from great spotted cuckoos and greater honeyguides.

Best Time & Places to See It

The pied starling is common throughout much of southern Africa within its range, making it a reliable species for observers visiting South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. Open habitats and agricultural areas offer the best viewing opportunities. During non-breeding months, large flocks gathering at roosts provide spectacular viewing opportunities, particularly where roosts are shared with lesser kestrels or wattled starlings. Areas with livestock will reliably show these birds engaged in their characteristic foraging behavior.

Photography Tips

The stark contrast between the bird's glossy black upperparts and white underparts provides excellent photographic potential, particularly in strong light that emphasizes the plumage's texture. The distinctive white iris creates a striking focal point; capture the bird's direct, penetrating gaze for compelling portraits. Photograph birds perched on livestock to illustrate their characteristic commensalistic behavior, or capture flocking birds in flight to convey their gregarious nature. Early morning light will best reveal the subtle gloss on the black plumage and illuminate the yellow mandible and pale iris that characterize this unmistakable starling.