Indian Pied Starling Gracupica contra Scientific name definitions

The Indian Pied Starling is a familiar sight across lowland open and urban habitats of the Indian Subcontinent. This highly vocal and distinctive black-and-white starling is usually seen conspicuously searching for invertebrate prey on the ground in pairs or in small flocks, using its long and pointed bill to 'pry' at mud. This species is known for its loud and rich melodious vocalizations, and pairs are seen duetting and performing bowing displays year-round. When breeding, it constructs large, conspicuous, messy globular nests in trees, utility poles, and the like. Outside of the breeding season, It forms large pre-roost congregations with other starling and myna species.

This species is very similar in appearance and habits to the closely related Javan Pied Starling (Gracupica jalla) and Siamese Pied Starling (Gracupica floweri); they were until recently considered a single species, the Asian Pied Starling (G. contra). Their attractive vocalizations and coloration have made these species very popular in the cagebird trade. As a result, escapees of one or more of these species have been reported in many countries from the Middle East to East Asia, and some feral populations have become established outside their native range. These species have also been deliberately introduced in some areas to control pests. Most wild populations of Indian Pied Starling remain common and some may be increasing.