Common Myna

Overview

Common Myna: Large, stocky starling with black hood and patch of bright yellow bare skin behind eye. Overall body plumage is chocolate-brown but undertail, tip of uppertail, wing patches are white. Bill and legs are yellow. AKA Indian Myna and Talking Myna for its ability to imitate human speech.

Range and Habitat

Common Myna: Favors open country, mostly around human habitation, including farmlands, streets, parks. An Asian bird that has been introduced to Hawaii and south Florida.

INTERESTING FACTS

It forages on the ground among grass for insects, especially for grasshoppers, from which it gets its genus name Acridotheres, "grasshopper hunter".
It is known to maintain up to two roosts simultaneously; a temporary summer roost close to a breeding site, and a permanent all-year roost where the female broods and incubates overnight.
The Common Myna was first described in 1766 by Carolus Linnaeus, Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist.
A group of mynas are collectively known as a "local" and a "statutory" of mynas.

The Common Myna is a member of the starling family, and is native to Asia. It is found in Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and China, and is frequently referred to as the “Indian Myna”. This species has successfully been introduced in other regions for pest control, such as in the Hawaiian Islands. They prefer open woodlands, cultivated fields, and habituated areas. The Common Myna feeds on worms, grapes, insects and fruit. It is considered a pest in Australia, as is eats the blueberry crops frequently. The conservation rating of the Common Myna is Least Concern.