🐦 Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica) – The Subtle Songster of the Tree Canopy

The Chestnut-tailed Starling, also known as the Grey-headed Myna, is a graceful, soft-voiced bird that blends seamlessly into tree canopies and forest edges. Known for its silky plumage, chestnut tail, and calm demeanor, this bird is commonly seen in gardens, orchards, dry forests, and occasionally in Sundarbans fringe areas where tall fruiting trees thrive.

🏷 Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Passeriformes
• Family: Sturnidae
• Genus: Sturnia
• Species: Sturnia malabarica

🌿 Often confused with other starlings and mynas, the Chestnut-tailed Starling is quieter, more arboreal, and less aggressive, making it a unique presence in the avian world.

🔬 Morphology & Physical Characteristics

• Size: Medium, around 20–21 cm (8 inches) in length.
• Weight: Approx. 60–75 grams.
• Coloration:
  • Pale grey head and neck.
  • Glossy brownish-chestnut tail and flanks.
  • Whitish underparts with subtle shading.
  • Yellow-orange bill with bluish base, and bright white eyes.
• Distinct Features:
  • Slender body and long tail.
  • Often seen quietly perched or foraging in groups.
  • Soft, pleasant whistles and calls, unlike the loud chatter of mynas.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

This starling is widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, thriving in dry forests, orchards, gardens, and woodland edges.

🌎 Key Habitats:
✅ India (including Sundarbans fringe), Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand.
✅ Forest edges, rural plantations, village groves.
✅ Sundarbans buffer zones and village orchards, particularly with banyan, mango, and fig trees.

📌 Preferred Habitat:

• Tall deciduous and semi-evergreen trees.
• Open woodlands and cultivated lands.
• Urban green spaces with low disturbance.

✨ Special Features & Adaptations

1️⃣ Fruity Feeder – Enjoys figs, papayas, mangoes, and occasionally nectar. 🍉
2️⃣ Insect Control Agent – Feeds on termites, beetles, caterpillars, especially during breeding. 🐛
3️⃣ Arboreal Nesting – Builds nests in tree holes or abandoned cavities. 🪵
4️⃣ Seasonal Migrant in Some Areas – Moves locally in search of fruiting trees. 🛫
5️⃣ Social Bird – Often seen in small, loose flocks, especially during feeding. 🐦

🌿 Presence in the Sundarbans

The Chestnut-tailed Starling is occasionally recorded in Sundarbans, especially in non-tidal areas with tall, fruiting trees near human habitation.

📌 Observed in:
✔ Village groves, orchard belts, and eco-tourism zones.
✔ Fringe forests with banyan or fig trees, especially during the fruiting season.
✔ Dry patches within the buffer zone of the Sundarbans landscape.

⚠️ Threats & Conservation Challenges

🚨 Loss of fruiting trees due to land conversion.
🚨 Overuse of pesticides, reducing insect populations.
🚨 Competition from aggressive mynas in urban areas.
🚨 Nest site scarcity in heavily modified landscapes.

✅ Conservation Actions

✔ Tree plantation drives with native fruiting species.
✔ Organic farming practices to maintain insect availability.
✔ Community awareness programs on bird-friendly landscapes.
✔ Birdwatching tourism encouraging preservation of village groves and orchards.

🚨 Conservation Status

📌 IUCN Red List: Least Concern ✅
📌 CITES: Not Listed
📌 Indian Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule IV (Moderate Protection)

The species is stable, but local populations may decline if habitat diversity and tree cover are not maintained.

The Chestnut-tailed Starling is a gentle guardian of orchards and groves, with its soft calls and graceful flight enriching rural landscapes. Its occasional presence in the Sundarbans’ edge zones highlights the need to preserve tree diversity and support bird-friendly villages. With thoughtful conservation, this arboreal beauty will continue to thrive. 🌳🐦

🌟 Credit Note

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For more details, visit the Chestnut-tailed Starling Wikipedia Page.