Brahminy Starling

Latin Name: 
Sturnia pagodarum
Category: 
Size: 
20cm
Description: 

Sexes alike. A grey, black and rufous myna; black crown, head and crest; grey back; rich-buff sides of head, neck and underbody; black wings and brown tail with white sides and tip distinctive in flight. Female has a slightly smaller crest, otherwise like male. Small parties, occasionally collecting into flocks of 20 birds; associates with other birds on flowering trees or on open lands; walks typical myna style, head held straight up, confident in looks; communal roosting-sites, with other birds.

Habitat: 
light forests, gardens, cultivation, vicinity of habitation.
Food: 
fruits, flower nectar, insects
Distribution: 
subcontinent, to about 2,000m in W and C Himalaya.
Call: 
Call Description: 
quite noisy; pleasant mix of chirping notes and whistles, sounding as conversational chatter; good mimic; pleasant warbling song of breeding males.
National Status: