Common name: Indian Pied Starling
Scientific name: Gracupica contra
Family: Sturnidae

Size:
Body length: approximately 21–24 cm

Identification:
A distinctive medium-sized starling with strongly contrasting black-and-white plumage. The upperparts, wings and throat are mainly black, while the cheeks, belly and rump are white. It has a pointed yellowish bill with an orange base and a conspicuous orange-red bare patch around the eye. The white rump is especially noticeable in flight.

Habitat:
Commonly associated with urban parks, gardens, cultivated areas, irrigated fields, damp grasslands and areas around human settlements. It often favors well-watered sites and open grassy areas where it can forage on the ground.

Status in the UAE:
An introduced, established and confirmed breeding species, Category C, in the UAE. It is locally fairly common in the Dubai area, particularly in urban parks, and occurs occasionally elsewhere. The species was first recorded in the UAE in 1989 in Sharjah. The current UAE checklist marks it as CX, indicating Category C and confirmed breeding.

Diet:
An omnivorous species feeding on insects and other small invertebrates, fruits, seeds and other plant material, as well as food associated with human settlements. It spends considerable time walking and probing on the ground while feeding.

Behavior:
A social, active and often noisy bird, usually seen in pairs or loose groups. It spends much of its time foraging on the ground in grassy or cultivated areas and readily adapts to urban environments. Its vocal repertoire is varied and can include imitations of other birds.

Conservation Status:
Global: Least Concern (LC)
UAE National Red List: Not listed in the UAE National Red List assessment