Chestnut-tailed starling (Sturnia malabaric)

Discover the Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica) in South Asia. Learn about its identification, habitat, distribution, diet, breeding, conservation status, and birdwatching tips.

For anyone interested in the birds of South Asia, the Chestnut-tailed Starling is a species worth observing due to its striking appearance, social behavior, and melodious calls.

Identification

The Chestnut-tailed Starling measures approximately 20–23 cm (8–9 inches) in length. Adults display a distinctive combination of colors that make them easy to identify.

Key identification features include:

• Pale grey head and neck
• Glossy dark greenish-black upperparts
• Warm chestnut-colored rump and tail
• White underparts with a slight grey wash
• Bright blue base of the bill with a yellow tip during the breeding season
• Dark eyes and pinkish-grey legs

Both males and females look very similar, although males may appear slightly brighter during the breeding season. Juvenile birds are duller, with brownish-grey plumage and less prominent chestnut coloration.

Distribution in South Asia

The Chestnut-tailed Starling is widely distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent. It is a familiar species in both natural and human-modified landscapes.

Countries where it occurs

• Bangladesh
• India
• Nepal
• Bhutan
• Sri Lanka
• Pakistan (mainly northern and northeastern regions)
• Occasionally recorded near adjoining areas of Myanmar

Within these countries, the species is more common in lowland forests, cultivated lands, village groves, and city parks where mature fruiting trees are available.

Habitat

The Chestnut-tailed Starling is highly adaptable and occupies a variety of habitats, including:

• Deciduous forests
• Open woodlands
• Riverine forests
• Village gardens
• Orchards
• Agricultural fields with scattered trees
• Urban parks
• Large campuses and botanical gardens

Unlike many forest specialists, this bird often thrives close to human settlements as long as large trees are present for nesting and feeding.

Diet and Feeding Habits

The Chestnut-tailed Starling is primarily omnivorous, feeding on both plant material and small animals.

Its diet includes:

• Figs
• Banyan fruits
• Berries
• Nectar
• Small insects
• Beetles
• Caterpillars
• Grasshoppers
• Ants
• Flying termites

These birds usually forage in small flocks high in the tree canopy. During fruiting seasons they gather around fig trees, where dozens of individuals may feed together peacefully.

By consuming fruits and dispersing seeds, Chestnut-tailed Starlings contribute significantly to forest regeneration and ecosystem health.

Behavior

Chestnut-tailed Starlings are highly social birds. Outside the breeding season, they often move in flocks ranging from a few individuals to over a hundred birds.

Interesting behavioral traits include:

• Constant soft whistles and chattering calls
• Active movement through tree canopies
• Cooperative flocking behavior
• Mixed-species feeding groups with barbets, bulbuls, and mynas
• Evening communal roosting

They are agile flyers and frequently move between fruiting trees in search of food.

Breeding

The breeding season generally extends from March to July, varying slightly across South Asia depending on rainfall and climate.

The species nests in natural tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes.

Typical breeding characteristics include:

• Nest built from grass, feathers, leaves, and soft fibers
• Clutch size of 3–5 pale blue eggs
• Both parents participate in incubation
• Both adults feed the chicks until fledging

Protecting mature trees is essential because natural cavities are critical for successful nesting.

Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, the Chestnut-tailed Starling is currently classified as Least Concern due to its large distribution range and stable global population.

However, several local threats remain:

• Deforestation
• Loss of mature nesting trees
• Urban expansion
• Agricultural intensification
• Pesticide use reducing insect availability

Maintaining native forests and preserving old trees help ensure healthy populations throughout South Asia.

Birdwatching Tips

If you hope to photograph or observe Chestnut-tailed Starlings, consider these practical tips:

• Visit fruiting fig or banyan trees early in the morning.
• Search forest edges rather than dense forests.
• Listen for their pleasant whistles before looking upward.
• Carry binoculars with at least 8× magnification.
• Use a telephoto lens of 400 mm or longer for bird photography.
• Avoid disturbing nesting cavities during the breeding season.

In Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the species is frequently seen in botanical gardens, national parks, and village woodlands.

Why the Chestnut-tailed Starling Matters

Beyond its beauty, the Chestnut-tailed Starling plays an important ecological role as both an insect predator and a seed disperser. By feeding on fruits and carrying seeds across forests, it supports natural forest regeneration. Its appetite for insects also helps maintain ecological balance.

As urbanization continues across South Asia, conserving green spaces, native trees, and woodland habitats will ensure future generations continue to enjoy watching this elegant bird.

Final Thoughts

The Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica) is one of South Asia's most charming woodland birds. Its graceful appearance, colorful plumage, social behavior, and ecological importance make it a rewarding species for birdwatchers and photographers alike. Whether spotted in a quiet village orchard, a bustling city park, or a forest rich with fruiting trees, this beautiful starling reminds us of the incredible avian diversity found throughout South Asia. Protecting its habitat will help preserve not only this species but also the many ecosystems it supports.