Chestnut-tailed Starling

The Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnus malabaricus), also known as the Grey-headed Myna, is a member of the starling family found in India and southeast Asia.

This bird prefers open woodland and cultivated areas. The Chestnut-tailed Starling builds a nest in hole and the normal clutch consists of an average of 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.

Both males and females are similar, however juveniles have grey upperparts and whitish underparts, with just chestnut tips to the tail feathers.

Like most starlings, the Chestnut-tailed Starling is omnivorous, with a diet consisting of fruit, nectar and insects. They fly in tight flocks and often rapidly change directions with great synchrony.