White-headed starling


The white-headed starling, also known as the Andaman white-headed starling, is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in wooded habitats of the Andaman and [Nicobar Islands].

Taxonomy

The white-headed starling was formerly placed in the genus Sturnus. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2008 found that the genus was polyphyletic. In the reoganization to create monotypic genera, the white-headed starling was one of five starlings moved to the resurrected genus Sturnia that had been introduced in 1837 by René Lesson.
Three subspecies are recognised:S. e. andamanensisAndaman IslandsS. e. erythropygia Blyth, 1846north Nicobar IslandsS. e. katchalensis Richmond, 1902central Nicobar Islands