They have glossy blue or green upper parts, which is due to hollow melanin granules arranged in a single layer near the feather barbule's surface.

This unique arrangement led to some glossy starlings formerly placed in the genus Spreo being transferred to Lamprotornis, since they shared this feature (but see also below).

These glossy starlings are found in a variety of habitats from forests to open woodland and gardens.

They nest in tree holes, either natural, or made by woodpeckers or barbets, and some will use man-made structures.

On the other hand, genera such as Coccycolius, Spreo and Compsarus were found nested in Lamprotornis and have been merged.