Common Myna

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iCommon Myna

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Sturnidae
Genus:	Acridotheres
Species:	A. tristis

Binomial name

Acridotheres tristis
(Linnaeus, 1766)

The Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis, is a myna, a member of the starling family. This bird is a common resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from Afghanistan to India and Sri Lanka. It is also known as the Indian Myna or Talking Myna for its ability to mimic human speech.

It has extended its range into southeast Asia, and has been introduced widely elsewhere, including South Africa, Israel, Hawaii, North America (especially in southern Florida area), Australia (where it is considered to be one of the top 100 most invasive pests and voted one of the most unpopular [1]) and New Zealand.

This abundant passerine is typically found in open woodland, cultivation and around habitation. The Common Myna builds a nest in hole in a tree or wall. The normal clutch is 4-6 eggs. They are popular as cage birds for their singing and "speaking" abilities.

This 25 cm long bird has dark brown body and wing plumage, with large white wing patches obvious in flight. The head and throat are dark grey. The bill, bare skin around the eyes and strong legs are bright yellow. The sexes are similar. Mynas mate for life.

Like most starlings, the Common Myna is omnivorous. It feeds on insects and fruits and discarded waste from human habitation. It forages on the ground among grass for insects, and especially for grasshoppers from which it gets the generic name Acridotheres, "grasshopper hunter". It walks on the ground with occasional hops.

The song includes croaks, squawks, chirps, clicks and whistles and it often fluffs its feathers and bobs its head in singing. The Common Myna screeches warnings to its mate or other birds in cases of predators in proximity.

A close up image of the Common Myna, nesting.

Common Myna. Seen on an African Tulip tree.

A mynah bird in a Melbourne park.

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[edit] References

BirdLife International (2004). Acridotheres tristis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6