Relatively small, slim, blackish starling. The belly is black, and there is little gloss to the rest of the plumage. The eye is usually yellow, but the male’s eye turns red for a brief period during the breeding season. Found in and around forest and moist woodland, mostly near the coast. Song is a fast and variable sequence which can include mimicry. Smaller, slimmer, and less glossy than other dark starlings in its range.