Common Myna or Common Starling?

General appearance

The common myna is a chunky bird of about 23-26 cm long, about the size of a robin. It has a short square-tipped tail, a yellow bill and bare yellow facial skin. The bird is dark brown in color with a black hood. It has rounded wings with white underparts and a white-tipped tail - both become very visible during flight.

Male vs female

It's challenging to determine sex visually as there is no marked dimorphism between males and females common mynas. Both sport similar plumage making it tough to discern sex by just looking at them.

Juvenile

Juvenile common mynas typically display similar physical traits and coloration to adults but may be slightly less vibrant in color. As they age, these colors will deepen, and the distinctive black hood will become more pronounced.

Primary habitat

The common myna originates from Asia, comfortable in urban and suburban settings and commonly found around human habitation.

Additional range

It has adapted well to new environments, spreading globally to habitats including Australia, South Africa, and North America. They tolerate a wide range of climates but mostly prefer temperate conditions.

Natural diet

The common myna primarily consumes a diverse diet consisting of insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, and beetles. They also eat fruits, such as berries and figs, and seeds. In coastal areas, their diet may include small marine invertebrates. Mynas are adaptive and may feed on food scraps and waste when available.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, common mynas are often attracted to foods like bread crumbs, cooked rice, and fruit pieces. They may also consume commercial bird seed mixes, particularly those containing sunflower seeds and millet. Their opportunistic feeding habits make them frequent visitors to backyard feeders providing these food types.