Jungle myna

Jungle myna
File:Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) on Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) in Kolkata I IMG 1340.jpg
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
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.

Range

This bird is a common resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Burma east to Indonesia.

Habitat

This common passerine is typically found in forest and cultivation. The jungle myna builds a nest in hole. The normal clutch is three to six eggs.

Description

These 23-centimetre (9.1 in) 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 southern Indian race has a blue iris. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are browner.

They are usually found close to water or rice fields.

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.

Gallery

• 

  Jungle myna of the south Indian race showing blue iris

• Jungle Myna (Immature) I IMG 7865.jpg

  Immature in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

• Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) on Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) in Kolkata W IMG 3960.jpg

  On Kapok Ceiba pentandra in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

• Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) preening after bath in Kolkata I IMG 3890.jpg

  Preening after bath in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

• Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) on Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) in Kolkata I IMG 1340.jpg

  On kapok Ceiba pentandra in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

• Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) feeding on Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) in Kolkata I IMG 1339.jpg

  Feeding on kapok in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

• Jungle Mynas- Looking for insects on a buffalo's back with a Black Drongo I Picture 278.jpg

  Looking for insects on a buffalo's back with a black drongo in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

• Jungle Myna- Taking off I3 IMG 2369.jpg

  Taking off in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

• Jungle Myna- Preening & Sunning I - Kolkata IMG 4453.jpg

  Preening and sunning in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

References

• Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6

External links

• Jungle myna videos, photos, and sounds at the Internet Bird Collection
• Jungle myna photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
• Interactive range map of Acridotheres fuscus at IUCN Red List maps