- Acridotheres cristatellus
Identification
Medium large, with frontal crest, sexes similar. Largely black; basal half of primaries white showing large white patch in flight; tail and undertail coverts tipped white. Bill olive yellow to yellow; reddish at base of lower mandible; eye brown to dull yellow; legs yellow to yellow orange.
Distribution
China, Taiwan, and SE Asia; introduced into Borneo and the Philippines.
Also introduced in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
Taxonomy
There are 3 subspecies.
Habitat
Urban areas.
Behaviour
It is a colony nester which nests in cavities which the bird fills with sticks and vegetation. 4-7 glossy green blue eggs are laid and incubated by both sexes for 14 days; the young fledge 21 days later.
The diet includes insects, fruit, grains, eggs and young birds.
Vocalisation
Call varied and can imitate other species and sounds.
References
Whatbird
