Home › Aves › Sturnidae › Indian Pied Starling (Gracupica contra)
SPECIES PROFILE
Indian Pied Starling (Gracupica contra)
Gracupica
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Open fields urban areas near water
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Sturnidae
GENUS
Gracupica
📋 Description
SIZE
22-23 cm long 80-100 g
COLORATION
Black and white with orange bill yellow eye patch
ADAPTATIONS
Strong bill for probing social foraging in flocks
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Open fields urban areas near water
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 3-5 eggs in tree holes incubated 12-14 days
DIET DETAILS
Insects fruits grains
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Urban sprawl competition
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Contrasting Foragers: Indian Pied Starlings probe with 90-gram bodies eating 25 grams of insects daily in Delhi's fields. Their pied plumage is striking.
2
Flock Feeders: These starlings cover 4000 sq km in Maharashtra's urban areas nesting in cavities. Competition with mynas affects them.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Okhla Bird Sanctuary in Delhi
Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary in Maharashtra
Jamnagar in Gujarat
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Urban areas ensure visibility for spotting starlings
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch Indian pied starlings foraging in noisy flocks
