Chestnut-tailed Starling
Sturnia malabarica
灰头椋鸟
Introduction
A member of the starling family (Sturnidae). This resident or partially migratory species inhabits wooded areas across India and Southeast Asia. The species epithet references the Malabar region distribution of a former subspecies. While it winters in peninsular India, a closely related resident breeding population with a white head is now classified as a separate species, the Malabar starling (Sturnia blythii). Two subspecies are recognized: S. m. malabarica (India, south Nepal, Bangladesh) and S. m. nemoricola (northeast India, Myanmar, Indochina). Both perform poorly understood movements, with malabarica occasionally recorded in Pakistan.
Description
A small starling approximately 20 cm (7.9 in) in total length. The upperparts are grey with blackish flight feathers (remiges). Underpart coloration varies by subspecies: the nominate and blythii have rufous underparts including the undertail, while nemoricola has whitish underparts tinged rufous on the flanks and crissum. The head is light grey with whitish streaking most prominent on the crown and collar. Both subspecies have white irises and a yellow bill with a pale blue base. The sexes are similar in plumage. Juveniles differ in having whitish underparts with only chestnut tips to the tail feathers.
Distribution & Habitat
The species occurs across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. S. m. malabarica occupies India (excluding southwest and northeast), southern Nepal, and Bangladesh. S. m. nemoricola is found in northeast India, Myanmar, and northern through central Indochina. Inhabits open woodland, cultivation, and tree-lined areas. The nominate subspecies migrates south for the non-breeding season, visiting peninsular India while nemoricola populations are more sedentary with some local movements.
Behavior & Ecology
Omnivorous diet includes fruit, nectar, and insects. Nests in tree cavities, typically old barbet or woodpecker holes, 3-12 m (9.8-39.4 ft) above ground. Breeding occurs from March to June with a normal clutch of 3-5 unmarked pale blue eggs. Highly social, flying in tight flocks that perform rapid, synchronized directional changes. No specific vocalizations described beyond typical starling vocal habits.
Conservation
No specific conservation assessment or population data provided in source material.
Culture
No cultural significance or folklore documented in source material.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Sturnia
- eBird Code
- y00824
Vocalizations
Subspecies (3)
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Sturnia malabarica blythii
southwestern India
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Sturnia malabarica malabarica
northern, central, and northeastern India, Nepal; winters to southern and western India
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Sturnia malabarica nemoricola
northeastern India (southern Assam), southern China (Yunnan), Myanmar, northwestern and western Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam; to Cambodia in winter
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.