This starling breeds on rocky cliffs, outcrops and gorges mainly in the Sahel from Mauritania and Equatorial Guinea to western Sudan.

This 25 cm long species is similar to other Onychognathus starlings, showing the characteristic rufous primary wing feathers, very obvious in flight.

The juvenile resembles the male, but is less glossy than the adult, and has brown rather than dark red eyes.

The red-winged starling builds a nest of grass on a ledge in a sheltered site such as a cave.

It is also associated with human settlement, and some related red-winged starling species are known to use man-made structures as nest sites.