Aplonis mystacea Ogilvie-Grant, 1911

Medium-sized starling with rather long, graduated tail: bristly forehead feathers forming partly erectile crest (visible in field), and feathers of crown, nape, throat and upper breast elongated and lanceolate. Plumage is mostly black, glossed purple on head and mantle, glossed emerald-green on rump and wing-coverts, and glossed bronzy green on breast, belly and flanks; flight-feathers dark brown, some gloss on outer webs, tail dark brown and slightly glossy: iris pale yellow; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed.