Bank Myna
Acridotheres ginginianus
The Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus) is a uncommon rhabdornis, starlings, and myna found in 12 countries, weighing about 72 g. The bank myna is a myna found in the northern parts of South Asia.
About the Bank Myna
The bank myna is a myna found in the northern parts of South Asia. It is smaller but similar in colouration to the common myna, only differing in having brick-red naked skin behind the eyes instead of yellow. It is greyer on the underside and in this and in the presence of a slight tuft of feathers bears some resemblance to the jungle myna. They are found in flocks on the plains of northern and central India, often within towns and cities. Their range appears to be extending southwards into India. The name is derived from their habit of nesting almost exclusively in the earthen banks of rivers, where they excavate burrows and breed in large colonies.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The head is black on the crown and sides and the upper plumage is slaty grey while the underside is lighter grey with pale pink plumage towards the centre of the abdomen. The wing is black but has a wing patch at the base of the primaries and the tips of the outer tail feathers are pale pinkish buff. The naked skin behind the eye is brick red, the legs are yellow while the iris is deep red. The sexes are indistinguishable in the field. Young birds have a browner head and neck. The species is evolutionarily closest to the common myna.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Taiwan.
When to see it
The Bank Myna can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Bank Myna?
- The head is black on the crown and sides and the upper plumage is slaty grey while the underside is lighter grey with pale pink plumage towards the centre of the abdomen. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Bank Myna?
- The Bank Myna is a medium sized bird weighing about 72 g.
- Where can you see a Bank Myna?
- The Bank Myna occurs in 12 countries, including India, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
- What birds look similar to a Bank Myna?
- The Bank Myna is most easily confused with the Great Myna, the Vinous-breasted Myna and the Burmese Myna.
- Is the Bank Myna endangered?
- The Bank Myna is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Bank Myna for real
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