Nature really is a beautiful thing. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something else extraordinary comes along to prove that you haven’t.

We feel incredibly lucky that nowadays, the wildlife that we would usually never be able to glimpse in our lifetime is just a click away on our mobile phones. Thank goodness for photographers with more patience and better camera skills than us!

If you thought starlings were a plain old bird, maybe even bordering on boring, these purple glossy starlings will change your entire opinion.

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An African bird, the purple starling stands out first and foremost for its beautiful feathers. Not only are these birds a stunning shade of purple, they almost take on an ethereal glow, like liquid metal. If you ever had to do soldering at high school, you’ll know what we mean.

It might look like photoshop, but these birds are as real as you and I. They just happen to be pretty non-existent in the US – you’re not likely to see them hanging out in your garden.

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They’re usually found in the tropical areas of Africa, such as Senegal and West Kenya. We’re more likely to see the much plainer common starling, which is hardly surprising, as there are thought to be around 310 million of those, while there are much less purple starling flying about – though we can’t be sure what their exact population size might be.

According to information on Bird Life, this bird isn’t considered a vulnerable species, and their population trend appears to be quite stable.

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That’s a promising sign – it’s always sad to think about the species we are losing, and how one day we may only have images of these creatures as proof that they ever existed.

Purple starlings tend to nest in tree holes, and make their homes in woodlands, so you’ll be lucky if you manage to come across one even if you’re searching for it! This person managed to get a video of a tame purple starling, which is an incredible feat.

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Adult birds have a purple body and glossy green wings. If those features aren’t enough for you to go off, you can also look out for their short, stumpy tails and yellow eyes. Baby birds are the same, though you can usually tell them apart from the adults by their brown undersides.

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Purple starlings tend to only nest with two eggs at a time, which is below the average for birds – though much more manageable for mom. After laying the eggs, mom incubates them for up to 14 days until they hatch. Then mom and dad feed the chicks until they become fledglings, some 22 days after hatching.

Whether you’re a bird lover or not, you can’t help but be impressed by the stunning color of the purple starling’s wings. Unfortunately, the sad reality of the matter is that you’d have to make a trip to Africa to get to see one of these beauties in real life yourself.

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At the moment, Africa is the only location that these birds have been spotted, and they don’t migrate when the seasons change.

What’s the most beautiful bird you have ever seen while on your travels? Does it compare to the purple glossy starling?

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Source: Diply, Bird Life, Birds of the World