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Common myna Facts

Common myna Facts
Common myna is a species of bird that belongs to the starling family. It originates from Central, South and Southeast Asia. Common myna was deliberately introduced to New Zealand and Australia to eradicate several species of pest insects in the 19th century. Unfortunately, this bird soon adapted to the new environment and became one of the most notorious pest in Australia. Common myna inhabits shrubby woodlands, open fields, floodplains and grasslands in the wild. It is very common in urban areas where it inhabits parks, gardens and areas filled with garbage. Common myna is widespread and numerous in the wild (nothing currently threatens its survival).
Interesting Common myna Facts:
Common myna can reach 9.1 inches in length and 3.8 to 4.9 ounces of weight.
Common myna has dark brown body, white-tipped tail and white patch on the bottom side of the wings (visible during the flight). Head, throat and upper part of the breasts are covered with black feathers. Eyes are encircled with bare yellow skin.
Common myna has stocky body, straight, stout bill, large feet and short tail.
Common myna uses its strong legs to walk (rather than to hop) on the ground.
Common myna is an omnivore (it eats plants and meat). Its diet is based on the snails, eggs, immature birds, frogs, insects, fruit and seed.
Common myna often follows the ploughs due to insects that can be collected from the furrowed soil. It occasionally eliminates ticks from the back of cattle.
Common myna often feeds in the groups and produces great damage in the orchards. It pierces the skin of various types of soft fruit and decreases their market value.
Common myna roosts in large flocks that occasionally consist of few thousand birds.
Common myna produces various songs that consist of whistling, squeaking and gurgling sounds. Captive birds are able to mimic humans' speech.
Mating season of common mynas takes place from April to July in India. Common mynas are monogamous birds (they mate for a lifetime).
Common mynas are very aggressive during the breeding season. Pairs of birds often violently fight with each other. Winners get opportunity to build nest on the preferred site.
Common mynas build nest in the cavities of trees, buildings or cliffs. Both parents collect twigs, leaves and grasses for the construction of cup-shaped nest.
Female lays 4 to 5 eggs that hatch after 13 to 18 days. Male provides food for the female during the incubation.
Both parents collect food for their offspring. Young birds are ready to leave the nest 22 to 27 days after hatching. They begin independent life three weeks later. Common myna reaches sexual maturity at the age of one year.
Common myna can survive around 4 years (rarely up to 12 years) in the wild.


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