A very distinctive black-and-white myna. Long-tailed and magpie-like, with white underparts, crown, and back. Rest of body is black. Has prominent yellow-orange beak and feet. Juvenile shows brown feathering on crown. A rare species, usually encountered in pairs or small groups in the canopy of open forest and forest edge within the lowlands. Confined to the Sula Islands. Only known vocalization is a descending series of five squeaky notes, reported to resemble sound of a rusty gate.