Chestnut-tailed Starling
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Chestnut-tailed Starling | status = Conservation status: Lower risk (lc) | image = Sturnus_malabaricus.jpg | image_width = 240px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Passeriformes | familia = Sturnidae | genus = Sturnus | species = S. malabaricus | binomial = Sturnus malabaricus | binomial_authority = (Gmelin, 1789) | synonyms = Sturnia malabarica }} The Chestnut-tailed Starling or Grey-headed Myna, Sturnus malabaricus, is a member of the starling family of birds. It is a resident breeder in India and southeast Asia.
This passerine is typically found in open woodland and cultivation. The Chestnut-tailed Starling builds a nest in hole. The normal clutch is 3-5 eggs.
The adults of these 20cm long birds have dark grey upperparts, rufous underparts and a chestnut tail. The head is a paler grey, with a white throat.
The sexes are similar, but juveniles have grey upperparts and whitish underparts, with just chestnut tips to the tail feathers.
Like most starlings, the Chestnut-tailed Starling is fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects. They fly in tight flocks and often rapidly change directions with great synchrony.
Reference
- Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6fr:Étourneau à tête grise