Sturnia pagodarum

(Gmelin, 1789)

Vernacular names
English : Brahminy starling
French : Étourneau des pagodes

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Sturnidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Total length of 20 cm for a weight of 54 g. Quite unmistakable. Long and erectile black crest. Blue skin around eyes. Blue and yellow bill. Wings, rump and tail gray. Chin, cheeks and breast light brown.

Range and habitat
The species occurs from North-west Afghanistan and Pakistan throughout India and north to Nepal. Non breeding in Sri Lanka. Lives in open woodlands, grasslands and cultivated areas, up to 1800 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is globally common and may be expanding its range, especially in the north. Often trapped for local and international bird trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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