Myna (nonfiction)
The mynas (/ˈmaɪnə/; also spelled mynah) are a group of birds in the starling family (Sturnidae). This is a group of passerine birds which are native to Southern Asia, especially Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Several species have been introduced to areas like North America, Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand, especially the common myna, which is often regarded as an invasive species.
Mynas are not a natural group; instead, the term myna is used for any starling in the Indian subcontinent, regardless of their relationships. This range was colonized twice during the evolution of starlings, first by rather ancestral starlings related to the coleto and Aplonis lineages, and millions of years later by birds related to the common starling and wattled starling's ancestors. These two groups of mynas can be distinguished in the more terrestrial adaptions of the latter, which usually also have less glossy plumage, except on the heads, and longer tails. The Bali myna, which is critically endangered and nearly extinct in the wild, is highly distinctive.
Some mynas are considered talking birds, for their ability to reproduce sounds, including human speech, when in captivity.
Myna is derived from the Hindi language mainā which itself is derived from Sanskrit madanā.
Characteristics
Mynas are medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit.
Plumage is typically dark, often brown, although some species have yellow head ornaments. Most species nest in holes.
Some species have become well known for their imitative skills; the common hill myna is one of these.
Species
The following are species of mynas. The coleto and the two Saroglossa starlings are included because of their position in the taxonomic list.
Jungle and hill mynas
Yellow-faced myna, Mino dumontii Golden myna, Mino anais Long-tailed myna, Mino kreffti Sulawesi myna, Basilornis celebensis Helmeted myna, Basilornis galeatus Long-crested myna, Basilornis corythaix Apo myna, Goodfellowia miranda White-necked myna, Streptocitta albicollis Bare-eyed myna, Streptocitta albertinae Fiery-browed myna, Enodes erythrophris Finch-billed myna, Scissirostrum dubium Golden-crested myna, Ampeliceps coronatus Common hill myna, Gracula religiosa Southern hill myna, Gracula indica Enggano hill myna, Gracula enganensis Nias hill myna, Gracula robusta Sri Lanka hill myna, Gracula ptilogenys
"True" mynas
Great myna, Acridotheres grandis Crested myna, Acridotheres cristatellus Javan myna, Acridotheres javanicus Pale-bellied myna, Acridotheres cinereus Jungle myna, Acridotheres fuscus Collared myna, Acridotheres albocinctus Bank myna, Acridotheres ginginianus Common myna, Acridotheres tristis Bali myna, Leucopsar rothschildi
"Gracupica" mynas
Indian pied myna, Gracupica contra Siamese pied myna, Gracupica floweri Javan pied myna, Gracupica jalla
The following species are often included in the Acridotheres mynas:
Vinous-breasted starling, Acridotheres burmannicus Black-winged starling, Acridotheres melanopterus Red-billed starling, Spodiopsar sericeus White-cheeked starling, Spodiopsar cineraceus
References
- Zuccon et al. 2006.
- "myna". Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged (11th ed.). Retrieved November 22, 2012 – via CollinsDictionary.com.
- "myna". New Oxford American Dictionary.
Sources
Zuccon, Dario; Cibois, Alice; Pasquet, Eric; Ericson, Per G. P. (2006). "Nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data reveal the major lineages of starlings, mynas and related taxa". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 41 (2): 333–344. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.05.007. PMID 16806992.
In the News
Fiction cross-reference
Nonfiction cross-reference
Categories
External links
- Myna @ Wikipedia
- Amazing Talking Myna Bird @ YouTube
Social media
- Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sturnidae.
- Myna videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Recording of a Myna bird in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Post @ Twitter (9 February 2024) - "What’s the name of that bird that sounds like a spoiled little kid who isn’t getting their way and is taking their toys and going home?" / Minor bird.