I’m a Shining Star

Metallic starlings, also known as shining starlings, may look like any black bird from a distance. But when the sunlight hits their feathers at just the right angle, they display a beautiful purple and green iridescence. This metallic look combined with their brilliant red eyes make for a distinct appearance.

I Run with a Crowd

This species is highly sociable and lives in large flocks numbering in the thousands. The flocks can be easy to find because of the metallic starling’s high-pitched song and constant chatter. The birds spend the day in trees eating fruit, nectar and sometimes insects. At night, the whole flock roosts together in nearby trees. Before settling down, flocks gather to create spectacular swirls and shapes in the sky.

I Favor Fruit

Like other starling species, metallic starlings are fond of fruit, especially figs. As such, they are important seed dispersers, spreading fruit seeds in their poop as they travel around. They will occasionally eat insects, especially in the breeding season when they have a need for extra protein. In doing so, they play a small role in the control of insect populations.