Coccycolius iris
Named for its iridescent green plumage, the emerald starling is a common passerine of Western Africa.
Emerald starling behavior and facts
- Fruit is the most important part of its diet, followed by insects.
- It inhabits wooded and open savanna, but generally avoids forests.
- It lives in flocks numbering from 15-20 members, but is occasionally forms larger congregations.
From birth to death
- Emerald starlings nest in small holes that they find in dead trees.
- Females possess a featherless spot on their stomach which they use to keep their eggs warm. This is called a brood patch.
Status
IUCN "data deficient"
Emerald starlings, the Oregon Zoo and you
The zoo's emerald starlings live in the Howard Vollum Aviary.