Rüppell's starling (Lamprotornis purpuroptera), also known as Rueppell's glossy-starling or Rueppell's long-tailed starling, is named after the German naturalist and explorer Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Rüppel. It has mainly dark blue plumage, a purple tail, a black head, and distinctive whitish eyes. The iridescent plumage colours are produced by minute structural elements in the feathers that refract the light falling on the bird.
