Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

This female Somali starling is in the middle of a morning preening and beauty session on the beautiful Shuab beach of Socotra. Ruffling the feathers and looking around for either her companion or prospects is an important part of the morning ritual – perhaps like we do when looking in a mirror, except its mirror is the response from the males.

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Last updated on 8 November 2024