Adult : 23cms long, dark brown with bright yellow beak, legs and patch behind the eyes. White patch on skin is conspicuous in flight. Male and female look alike.

Nests are made of twigs, roots, paper and rubbish in a hole in a tree, wall or ceilings. Eggs, 4-5, glossy blue, with two broods often raised in succession.

A ubiquitous bird, found around human habitation all across the country. It is omnivorous and eats fruits, insects and kitchen scraps. A close relative, the Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus) is commonly found at railway platforms, walking confidently among passengers' feet to pick up bits of food and also at garbage dumps. It is pale bluish-grey, with reddish bill and eye patch and yellowish patch on wings.