Rüppell's starling, also known as Rueppell's glossy-starling or Rueppell's long-tailed starling, is a resplendent member of the starling family, Sturnidae. This species is scientifically classified as Lamprotornis purpuroptera and was first described by Rüppell in 1845.
When observing Rüppell's starling, one can identify it by its glossy plumage and notably long tail. The iridescent sheen of its feathers is a characteristic trait of this species.
This starling is known to inhabit a range of environments across East Africa, where it can be seen flitting among the trees and landscapes of this region.
The geographical range of Rüppell's starling spans several African countries, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Chad, Tanzania, and Uganda.
According to the IUCN Red List, Rüppell's starling is currently classified as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a more urgent conservation status.