Golden-breasted Starling
Scientific Name
Class
Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
Named for their striking coloration, golden-breasted starlings have metallic blue wings with purple undertones, a yellow breast and belly, a violet throat, and a vibrant green head. They are social animals, living in family groups of three to 12 individuals in the wild, that primarily eat insects.
Interesting Fact 1
Golden-breasted starlings feed by catching insects mid-flight and digging up termite mounds.
Interesting Fact 2
Females lay their eggs in tree holes abandoned by woodpeckers after lining the space with straw and leaves.
Interesting Fact 3
Entire family groups of up to 12 birds cooperate to raise newly hatched young by gathering food and nesting materials.
Species Survival Plan®
We cooperate with other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to manage the zoo population of this species through a Species Survival Plan®.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
Support Your Zoo
Animals Depend On People Too
When you ADOPT an animal, you support world-class animal care by helping to provide specially formulated diets, new habitat elements, and regular veterinary checkups.
Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
Take Action With Us
Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
