Long-tailed Starling Aplonis magna Scientific name definitions

28–41 cm (including tail). Large starling with long tail (central four feathers greatly elongated); forehead feathers bristly, feathers of crown and throat lanceolate. Nominate race has head and body black, glossed oily green , bronze gloss on head; remiges blackish-brown; tail as long as or longer than body, dark brown; iris brown; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undes­cribed. Race brevicauda is less glossy than nominate and has much shorter tail, about two-thirds of body length.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Fruit. Forages in trees and undergrowth. Occurs in pairs and in small groups.

Series of loud warbles  ; call a shrill slurred "cheeuw" on descending scale.