Jungle Myna

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jungle Myna
Conservation status
Least Concern
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 Burma 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.

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

[edit] Gallery

calling on Kapok Ceiba pentandra in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	On Kapok Ceiba pentandra in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Jungle Myna on Vilaiti Siris Samanea saman - Calling in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	preening after bath in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
preening after bath in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	preening after bath in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	preening after bath in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	On Kapok Ceiba pentandra in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Feeding on Kapok Ceiba pentandra in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Looking for insects on a buffalo's back with a Black Drongo in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Taking off in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Preening on Vilaiti Siris Samanea saman in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Preening in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Preening & Sunning in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Picked up a Grasshopper in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Looking out from its nest inside a pipe in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
In Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	In Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	In Pune, Maharashtra, India.