During the non-breeding season, this species occupies a wide variety of habitats, including heavily modified areas like cultivations, garbage dumps, urban gardens, villages and palm groves (Jennings 2010). The breeding population near Hamraniyah (Ras al-Khaimah) inhabited irrigated fodder fields in close proximity to farm buildings and old Ghaf (Prosopis cineraria) trees (Jennings 2010). The species roosts in large flocks, partly together with other species, in large trees close to human settlements (Jennings 2010). It feeds in flocks on the ground. It is omnivorous, taking plant material (grains, grass, fruits and berries) as well as animals (invertebrates and small lizards), but also feeds on food waste and visits bird tables (Snow and Perrins 1998, Jennings 2010). Breeding occurs mostly between March and June. There is no information available on nests or nest sites in the UAE; elsewhere the nest is a bulky structure of dry grasses and leaves, lined with softer materials such as feathers, hair and fibres. It is typically built in a hole in a tree or building. Clutches are normally four to six eggs (Craig and Feare 2015).