Violet-Backed Starling

The Violet-Backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster), also known as the plum-colored starling or amethyst starling, is a relatively small species (17 cm) of starling in the family Sturnidae. Within the genus Cinnyricinclus, it is the sole species. This species, which exhibits high sexual dimorphism, is widely distributed in the woodlands and savannah forest margins of mainland sub-Saharan Africa.

The male's underparts are entirely white, while his head and back are iridescent violets. With brown, boldly streaked upperparts and white, severely streaked underparts, the female resembles a thrush. Both sexes have black bills and legs and golden irises. The diet of the violet-backed starling includes fruits, seeds, and arthropods. It sometimes hawks for insects in a manner similar to flycatchers. It largely feeds in the canopy, seldom foraging on the ground.