Beyond Temples: The Story of the Brahminy Starling Magnificence
Introducing the Brahminy Starling, a stunning avian with a charming long and wispy crest swept back that adds to its distinguished appearance!
The brahminy myna, also known as the brahminy starling, belongs to the family of starling birds. This bird is quite attractive and is named after its habit of perching on temple pagodas in southern India. Adult brahminy mynas have a long, loose crest on the top of their heads, with their forehead and crown being a glossy black color. The paper is cinnamon-shaded with fine shaft streaks, while their upperparts, mantle, back, and rump are brownish-grey. The tail is grey-brown with white tips, except for the central pair. Their underparts and neck sides are cinnamon-colored, and there are some pale shades on their upper breast area that create a streaked effect.
The bill of this bird has a yellow color that is complemented by a blue base. Meanwhile, both the legs and feet are also yellow. If you want to distinguish the females from the males, you should look for a less prominent crest on the former. For the juveniles, their color is comparatively dull and their crest is browner.
The Brahminy starling is a bird that can only be found in Afghanistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka where it breeds and resides.
The avian species of choice favors arid plains, open deciduous woodlands, scrublands, and agricultural terrain. They can also be spotted near residential neighborhoods and regions with excess water.
Similar to other starlings, the Brahminy Starling has a diverse diet consisting of both fruits and insects.
Between April and August, Brahminy starlings engage in their breeding season. During this time, they construct nests within tree holes, typically ones that have been abandoned by woodpeckers. These nests are created from a combination of dry grass, dead leaves, and paper, and are lined with softer fibers. Both male and female starlings contribute to the construction process. After the nest is complete, the female lays three to five eggs, which are then incubated for approximately 12 days. Once hatched, the chicks are fed by both parents. They become fully fledged after 18 to 21 days.
The Brahminy Starling is a common bird in the local area and its population may have increased in the northern part of its habitat. At the moment, this species is not considered threatened according to the IUCN list.
