uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
10 places
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Violet-backed Starling
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
The Violet-Backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster), also known as the Plum-Colored Starling or Amethyst Starling, is a relatively small species of starling in the family Sturnidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Feb
When Violet-backed Starling sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Feb
Recorded in KwaZulu-Natal~561 records
Curve from 1,403 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Where you'll find it
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Violet-backed Starling is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,403 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Violet-backed Starling
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Cobham
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Garden Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mount Currie
Mount Currie Nature Reserve
From R 230a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Weenen
Weenen Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 130a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Kamberg
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 840a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Lotheni
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 270a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Spioenkop
Spioenkop Resort
From R 240a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Highmoor
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 200a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Royal Natal (Thendele, Mahai & Rugged Glen)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 360a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Injisuthi
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 170a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Didima (Cathedral Peak)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,070a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
Giant's Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,150a night
Violet-backed Starling recorded here
More stays nearby
Kingfisher Cove Umdloti
Umdloti, Ballito
From R 13,000a night
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 4,280a night
Makongo Hills Lodge
Magudu
From R 1,280a night
Birder friendly
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville
From R 5,400a night
Duma Manzi Wilderness & Wellness Retreat
Richmond
From R 5,990a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Sungubala Eco Camp
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 1,140a night
Drakensberg Vultures View
Cathkin Park
From R 1,691a night
Birder friendly
The Elephant Coast
Next stop
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Violet-backed Starling
Hosts have recorded the Violet-backed Starling at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve and iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Records
1,403
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Violet-backed Starling on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Violet-backed Starling in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Violet-backed Starling at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ithala Game Reserve, Kamberg Nature Reserve and Mount Currie Nature Reserve and other reserves. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Violet-backed Starling in South Africa?
The Violet-backed Starling is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (40% of records), Mpumalanga (26% of records), Limpopo (23% of records), based on 1,403 iNaturalist observations. 16 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the Violet-backed Starling on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Violet-backed Starling?
Sightings of the Violet-backed Starling peak from Oct to Feb, based on 1,403 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Violet-backed Starling?
The Violet-backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Violet-backed Starling?
The Violet-Backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster), also known as the Plum-Colored Starling or Amethyst Starling, is a relatively small species of starling in the family Sturnidae. This strongly sexually dimorphic species is found widely in the woodlands and savannah forest edges of mainland sub-Saharan Africa.