A chunky, large, short-tailed starling. Mostly iridescent purple, with a greenish back and a huge yellow-orange eye. Found in a wide variety of savanna habitats, from moist broadleaf woodland to dry thorn savanna and thornscrub. Usually in flocks, which can be large and often include other species of starlings. Similar to other savanna-dwelling starlings, but easily separated by the huge eye and the abundance of purple in the plumage. The vocalizations include liquid swirling calls, nasal squeals, and simple chatters.