The typical adult Aplonis starling is fairly uniformly plumaged in black, brown or dark green, sometimes with a metallic gloss.

Immatures of several species have dark streaked pale underparts.

Several species have restricted ranges, and, like other island endemics, have become endangered or extinct as a result of habitat loss or introduced mammals such as rats.

The genus Aplonis was introduced in 1836 by the English ornithologist John Gould.

In 1840 George Gray designated the Aplonis fusca Gould 1836 as the type.