30/09/2026
๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐พ๐๐๐พ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐๐๐ฟ๐
๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ก!
๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐-๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ (๐๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐๐ค๐๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐๐ช๐จ ๐ข๐ค๐ง๐๐ค)
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐:
Least Concern
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At first glance, the Red-winged Starling appears almost entirely dark, but in flight it reveals the rich chestnut-red flight feathers that give the species its name. Males have glossy, iridescent black plumage, while females are readily distinguished by their ash-grey head and upper breast.
These medium-sized, strong-flying starlings are often encountered in pairs or flocks and are unmistakable when their brilliant red-brown wing panels catch the light.
๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐?
๐ชถ Red-winged Starlings are naturally birds of rocky cliffs, outcrops and gorges โ but have adapted remarkably well to buildings, where ledges and roof structures can resemble their traditional nesting sites.
๐ชถ They are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, eating fruit, berries, seeds, nectar and a variety of invertebrates.
๐ชถ Flowering aloes provide an important seasonal food source, with the birds feeding on their nectar.
๐ชถ Resident pairs can maintain long-term pair bonds and become strongly territorial around their nesting sites.
๐ชถ Their range extends through eastern and Southern Africa, from Ethiopia southwards to South Africa.
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Red-winged Starlings occur widely across eastern and Southern Africa. In southern Africa they are widespread through Zimbabwe, parts of Botswana and much of eastern and southern South Africa.
Their natural habitat includes rocky hillsides, cliffs, gorges and mountainous country, but their ability to use buildings as artificial โcliffsโ has enabled them to live successfully alongside people.
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Breeding in southern Africa takes place mainly during spring and summer. Both adults help construct a substantial nest of sticks, grass and rootlets, often bound with mud and lined with softer material.
Natural rock ledges are traditional nesting sites, but buildings, beams and other structures are readily used. The female undertakes most of the incubation, while both parents feed the growing chicks.
And once a pair has chosen its nesting place, visitors beware! Red-winged Starlings can vigorously defend the immediate area around their nest โ as the Oberems know particularly well at Dabchick.
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The Red-winged Starling is currently classified as Least Concern. Its adaptability and broad diet have helped the species make use of both natural and human-modified landscapes.
As a fruit-eating bird, it also contributes to ecological processes through the movement and dispersal of seeds across the landscape.
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โThese very protective birds return to build their nest above our front door each year โ and take their parental duties extremely seriously! Anyone coming in or going out may suddenly find themselves being dive-bombed. It can be quite alarming when youโre unaware of the nest and caught completely by surprise.โ
โ Drs Peter & Pamela Oberem
Dabchick Wildlife Reserve
๐ธ So, when visiting Dabchick, remember to look up! A pair of Red-winged Starlings may be keeping an equally watchful eye on you.
Rewilding Africa Waterberg Biosphere Reserve
Waterberg Tourism REWILDING Southern Africa
๐ฆ Dabchick Wildlife Reserve offers outstanding birdwatching and photography. Book your stay now!
๐ฉ Reservations: [email protected]
๐ More info: www.dabchick.co.za
๐ As custodians of biodiversity, we are committed to preserving habitat, raising awareness, and supporting collaborative conservation action.
๐ผ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ฌ, ๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฌ & ๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐ฌ
eBird โ Red-winged Starling
https://ebird.org/species/rewsta1
The Dabchick Wildlife Reserve (DWR) is situated in the Waterberg region of the Limpopo province. The reserve is roughly two-and-a-half hoursโ drive from O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
