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Brahminy Starling

Sturnia pagodarum

Description:

The Brahminy Myna or Brahminy Starling (Sturnia pagodarum [2]) is a member of the starling family of birds. It is creamy orange bird with a black cap and a slight crest. They are usually seen in pairs or small flocks in open habitats on the plains of the Indian Subcontinent. It is a resident breeder in Nepal and India, a winter visitor to Sri Lanka and a summer visitor in parts of the western Himalayas and northeastern Himalayas. They have musical call notes that are long made up of a series of slurred notes that ends abruptly. Like most starlings, the Brahminy Starling is omnivorous, eating fruit and insects. It builds its nest in tree holes or artificial cavities. The breeding season is March to September but varies with location, being earlier in southern India.

Habitat:

This passerine is typically found in dry forest, scrub jungle and cultivation and is often found close to human habitations. The especially favour areas with waterlogged or marshy lands.

Notes:

In India, the bird is called Bamani myna (Bengal/Bihar), Kalasir myna (Hindi), Pabiyapawi (Uttar Bradesh), Harbola (Bengal) or Popoya myna. It was known as shaṇkarā in Sanskrit and compared to a parivrājikā (female ascetic wanderer) in the Mahābhāṣya due to its serene appearance; the English name may reflect this or refer to the traditional Brahmin choti hairstyle.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Liam
Liam 11 years ago
Brahminy Starling
Sturnia pagodarum Brahminy Starling


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6 Comments

pamsai
pamsai 11 years ago

thanks Marcelo. Really like your bird photos. They are really clear, sharp and exotic!

MarceloCamacho
MarceloCamacho 11 years ago

Fantastic!

pamsai
pamsai 11 years ago

thanks Liam for the ID, once again...

pamsai
pamsai 11 years ago

thank you for the comments Ann Marie and Alice...

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 11 years ago

Lovely pictures!

Anne Marie McCaffrey
Anne Marie McCaffrey 11 years ago

Excellent photos, very nice bird.

pamsai
Spotted by
pamsai

Maharashtra, India

Spotted on May 7, 2012
Submitted on May 7, 2012

Related Spottings

Sturnia sinensis 灰背椋鳥 Brahminy starling Brahminy myna Brahminy Starling

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Reference

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