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Near-endemic Poeoptera femoralis

Abbott’s Starling

A scarce starling of highland forest in Kenya and northern Tanzania. The male is glossy black with a white belly.

Abbott’s Starling lives in a handful of highland forests in Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania, and is listed as Vulnerable because those forests keep shrinking.

Kilimanjaro’s forest belt is one of the best places in Tanzania to look for it, usually on a day walk from the park gate.

Where to look

Montane forest on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Guide’s tip

Watch fruiting trees in the canopy. Small groups arrive, feed quickly and move on.

Sightings are never guaranteed: these are wild animals in wild places. What we can promise is a guide who knows where to look.

Destinations

Where to see the Abbott’s Starling

The parks and reserves where our guides look for it, each with its own best season and safaris.

Keep exploring

More birds to look for

See all birds

Start planning your safari

Tell us your dates and the birds or animals you most want to see. We’ll reply within 24 hours with a route and a full quote.