White-faced starling

The white-faced starling is a captivating bird from the starling family, endemic to the verdant landscapes of Sri Lanka. Initially, it was mistakenly classified as S. senex, but ornithologists later determined it was, in fact, a junior synonym of the red-billed starling.

These starlings are visually striking, featuring green-glossed dark grey upperparts and whitish underparts. Juvenile birds, however, display more subdued hues. Unlike the common starling, the white-faced starling is distinct enough to merit its own genus, named Sturnornis.

Typically found in tall forests, these birds prefer nesting in tree holes. A typical nest contains a clutch of two eggs. In terms of diet, white-faced starlings are quite versatile. They consume a variety of foods, including fruit, nectar, and insects.