About the Jungle Myna
The jungle myna is a myna, a member of the starling family. It is found patchily distributed across much of the mainland of the Indian Subcontinent but absent in the arid zones of India. It is easily recognized by the tuft of feathers on its forehead that form a frontal crest, a feature also found in the closely related Javan myna and the pale-bellied myna which were treated as a subspecies in the past. The eyes are pale, yellow or blue depending on the population and the base of the orange-yellow bill is dark. It has also been introduced either intentionally or accidentally into many other parts of the world including Fiji, Taiwan, the Andaman Islands, and parts of Japan. The species has…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Jungle mynas are 23-centimetre (9.1 in) long and have grey plumage, darker on the head and wings. The sexes are indistinguishable in plumage. A large white wing patches on the base of the primaries becomes conspicuous in flight, and the tail feathers are broadly tipped in white. There is a tuft of feathers on the forehead arising at the base of the bill. The bill and legs are bright yellow, and there is no bare skin around eye as in the common myna and the bank myna. The base of the beak is dark in adults with a shade of blue at the base of the lower mandible.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Czechia, Greece, Wallis & Futuna.
When to see it
Peak activity in February · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Javan MynaAcridotheres javanicusThe Javan myna is a stocky, medium-sized bird measuring 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 in) in length and weighing approximately 100 g (3.5 oz).
Crested MynaAcridotheres cristatellusThe crested myna is named after the tuft of feathers that form a crest-like structure on its forehead that covers the bird's nostrils.
Great MynaAcridotheres grandisIt is black with elongated forehead feathers, forming a frontal crest that may curl backwards.
Side by side: Common Myna vs Jungle Myna · Javan Myna vs Jungle Myna · Crested Myna vs Jungle Myna · Great Myna vs Jungle Myna
Learn the Jungle Myna for real
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