About Cinnyricinclus leucogaster (Boddaert, 1783)
The violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster (Boddaert, 1783), is a sexually dimorphic species. Adults reach a length of approximately 18 cm (7 in). Males have an iridescent violet head and back, plus pure white underparts. Females have a thrush-like appearance: brown, boldly-streaked upper parts, and white underparts that are heavily streaked. Both sexes have yellow irises, and black bills and legs. This is a common bird in Sub-Saharan Africa. It occurs in most locations across the region, except for the dense rainforest of the Congo Basin, and the more arid parts of southwestern Africa. It inhabits open woodland, gallery forests, forest verges and clearings. In the Chyulu Hills of Kenya, it can be found at altitudes up to 2,100 m (6,900 ft).
