Bird Guide

Crested Myna vs Great Myna

Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellus)

Crested Myna

Acridotheres cristatellus

Medium116 gGrassland

The crested myna is named after the tuft of feathers that form a crest-like structure on its forehead that covers the bird's nostrils. It is mostly black with a slight green sheen. It has a couple of white wing patches under its wings which are more visible during flight. The tips and the base of the primaries are white. The tail feathers also have white tips with the exception of the middle pair. The under-tail coverts are black with a white tip. The adult's eyes are orange, its bill is pale yellow, and its legs are a dull dark yellow. Its bill is slender and very sharp. Voice: The crested myna has a wide array of songs and calls, from whistles to warbles to chortles. When alarmed, it emits a raspy jaaay. Other calls include a series of chuffs or creeks. Vocal mimicry of human voices and other yard birds in crested mynas has been reported. However, birds held in captivity were not found to be good mimics.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Noel Reynolds · CC BY 2.0
Great Myna (Acridotheres grandis)

Great Myna

Acridotheres grandis

Medium99 gGrassland

It is black with elongated forehead feathers, forming a frontal crest that may curl backwards. Its beak and feet are yellow. It has white from the vent to the tip of the tail and a white wing patch.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Jason Thompson · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Crested Myna and Great Myna.