Jungle Myna

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iJungle Myna

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Acridotheres
Species: A. fuscus
Binomial name
Acridotheres fuscus
(Wagler, 1827)

The Jungle Myna, Acridotheres fuscus, is a myna, a member of the starling family. This bird is a common resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from India and Myanmar east to Indonesia.

This common passerine is typically found in forest and cultivation. The Jungle Myna builds a nest in hole. The normal clutch is 3-6 eggs.

These 23cm long birds have grey plumage, darker on the head and wings. There are large white wing patches obvious in flight, and a white tail tip. The head has a forehead tuft. The bill and strong legs are bright yellow, and there is no bare skin around eye. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are browner.

They are usually found close to water or rice fields. The southern Indian race has a blue iris.

Jungle myna of the south Indian race showing blue iris
Enlarge
Jungle myna of the south Indian race showing blue iris

Like most starlings, the Jungle Myna is fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, grain and insects.

In many parts of Asia, they are kept as pets. As a result, escaped birds have formed feral populations in many countries such as Taiwan.

[edit] References

  • BirdLife International (2004). Acridotheres fuscus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 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