Acridotheres tristis, the Common Myna, is a highly adaptable passerine belonging to the starling family (Sturnidae) — native to southern Asia and widely introduced around the world — readily recognized by its robust build, dark brown body, glossy black hood (head, neck, and upper breast), and distinctive bright yellow bill, legs, and bare eye patch. Its lower abdomen and undertail coverts are white. In flight, broad white wing patches on the primaries and white tips on the tail feathers are conspicuously displayed. Adults typically measure 23–26 cm in length and weigh between 82 and 143 grams.
The Common Myna is an opportunistic omnivore, foraging predominantly on the ground with a characteristic strutting walk rather than a hop. It inhabits agricultural areas, grasslands, urban parks, gardens, and human settlements. Its diet is exceptionally varied, consisting mainly of insects, spiders, and earthworms, but also encompassing seeds, fruits, nectar, human food scraps, small reptiles, and occasionally eggs or nestlings of other birds. The species is highly aggressive and territorial, frequently outcompeting native cavity-nesting species; it constructs a bulky, messy nest of twigs, grass, leaves, and synthetic debris inside tree hollows, wall cavities, roof eaves, and structural niches.
Acridotheres tristis is native to southern Asia, ranging from Iran and the Indian subcontinent eastward across southern China and Indochina. Through deliberate and accidental introductions, it has established thriving invasive populations in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, North America, and numerous oceanic islands. Outside the breeding season, it is strongly gregarious, gathering in large, noisy communal roosts in dense trees or urban structures. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and is widely regarded as one of the world’s most invasive bird species.
• Common Myna, Indian Myna
• Indiese spreeu
• Miná común
Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Acridotheres
Species: Acridotheres tristis
Pilanesberg National Park, North West Province, South Africa
Camera: Canon EOS 77D / 9000D
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 335.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/500
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 125
Photo Taken: March 12, 2018
High resolution
Flickr Gallery