Pearl gray in color, it has a pink belly that contrasts with the black color of the head and tail, and with the marked white cheeks. The beak has a striking reddish or pinkish color.

They live in groups, and usually spend the night in tall trees or palm trees in cities, or in reeds, bushes or sugar cane in the countryside.

They can reproduce between February and August, although there is usually a peak in the months of April and May, so more chicks are born at this time.

Due to the increase in demand as a cage bird, by escaping, they have come to colonize some regions of Australia, Asia, Africa and North America. While in their original distribution, in Java and Bali, the population has almost disappeared, and it is currently difficult to see them there due to heavy hunting as a cage bird.