violet head, breast, and upperparts; snowy white belly (Zoo; 2013-05-29)


Violet-backed Starling
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster

Native Range: Africa

Notes: a stunning starling whose upperparts can be a briliant violet-purple when seen in good light; otherwise it can look rather plain dark above.

looks very bright in the sun (Zoo; 2013-05-29)
looks less bright in the shade (Zoo; 2013-05-29)

dorsal view in sun (Zoo; 2013-05-29)
dorsal view in shade (Zoo; 2013-05-29)