The different shape and position of the wattles and the stouter orange-red bill distinguish this species from the southern hill myna, which also occurs in Sri Lankan forests.

The sexes are similar in plumage, but can be distinguished by iris color, which is pale in females and dark in males.

Like most starlings, the Sri Lanka myna is fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects.

In Sri Lanka, the Myna bird is known in many names including Sela lihiniya, Mal kawadiya, Kampatiya in the Sinhala language.

[2] The name Sela Lihiniya is often mentioned in poems and other similar literature and is quoted for its melodious calls.