About Gracupica nigricollis (Paykull, 1807)
The black-collared starling, Gracupica nigricollis, measures 26–30 cm (10–12 in) in total length. Adults have a white head, with a patch of bare yellow skin surrounding each eye, and a solid black collar encircling the neck. The mantle, back, and wings are dark brown, with an overall appearance that is almost black. The underparts are white, often marked with a faint grey-brown tinge. The tail, most coverts, and flight feathers have white tips; the primary coverts are entirely white. The beak is black, and the legs are pale grey. Males and females have identical plumage. Juvenile birds are overall browner than adults, with streaked patterns on the neck and breast. Juveniles do have the characteristic eye patch, but they lack the distinct black neck collar. This species is naturally distributed across southern China, from Fujian province west to Yunnan province, and extends south to Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. A single individual recorded in Brunei is thought to be either an escaped captive bird or a vagrant. The species has been intentionally introduced to Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. Black-collared starlings inhabit grassland, dry forest, cultivated agricultural areas, and human settlements. Most individuals occur at low elevations, but the species can also be found at altitudes up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).
