Bird Guide

Brahminy Starling vs White-shouldered Starling

Brahminy Starling (Sturnia pagodarum)

Brahminy Starling

Sturnia pagodarum

Small49 gForest

This myna is pale buff creamy with a black cap and a loose crest. The bill is yellow with a bluish base. The iris is pale and there is a bluish patch of skin around the eye. The outer tail feathers have white and the black primaries of the wings do not have any white patches. The adult male has a more prominent crest than the female and also has longer neck hackles. Juveniles are duller and the cap is browner. The species name pagodarum is thought to be based on occurrence of the species on buildings and temple pagodas in southern India.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: P Jeganathan · CC BY 4.0
White-shouldered Starling (Sturnia sinensis)

White-shouldered Starling

Sturnia sinensis

Medium61 gGrassland

The white-shouldered starling has blue eyes, a grey bill, and a white patch on the shoulder. The adult male has a light brown head and breast and a white belly while an adult female is darker brown on the back and belly. This bird is usually found in large flocks.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Aiken Lau · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Brahminy Starling and White-shouldered Starling.