This starling occurs in India's Western Ghats. It also uses open woodland, farmland with scattered trees, and places near settlements. A 2022 study followed one nest as the parents provisioned their chicks.
About 22 cm long. In the male, a white head contrasts with a cinnamon breast and belly; the gray tail is tipped chestnut. Females have a grayer head and less contrast on the underside.
A 2022 study watched one nest in farmland for 21 days, recording 252 parental trips and identifying 111 food items. Invertebrates made up 85.5% of identified items and vertebrates 10%; amphibians were among the foods.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.