A small rainforest starling with a short square tail. In poor light, can look completely black, but usually shows a purple head; the rest of the body and wing are black with blue gloss. Even in bad viewing conditions, the pale eye is obvious. Found in lowland rainforest, gallery forest, and along forest edge. Often in small groups. Very similar to Purple-headed Starling, but ranges don’t overlap, and easily separated by the yellow eye. Found in the same habitat as Splendid Starling, but much smaller, with a shorter and narrower tail. The vocalizations include nasal whistles and scratchy notes.