Jungle Myna

Jungle myna

How to identify jungle myna

It is one of the most common bird that we can see around us. It is a member of Starling family.

Length of jungle myna is around 23 cm. It has grey coloured plumage but the plumage is darker on head and wings. Wings have a white patches which is prominently seen when it flys. Tip of the tail is white.

There is a tuft on forehead. Forehead is elongated. It has a black head of which upper area is more grey-brown and chin, breast and belly are of dark ashy-grey. Bill is bright yellow and colour of legs are also yellow. Iris of the eyes are conspicuously yellow of the races that are found in eastern part of India. But the races that are found in southern part of India has blue iris. Both male and female are look alike.

Habitat

Jungle myna is found in every open side like orchard, garden, crop field, grassland and urban area. It is an omnivorous bird. Fruits, crop, insects, human food discards, everything is in their food list.

Breeding and nesting

Female jungle myna lays 3-6 eggs. Breeding period is to times per year. It generally lives in flock. Nests are build by twigs, roots, grass etc. It build it's nest generally on trees but nest on a man made construction are also often seen. Female hatches the eggs i.e incubation period for 17-18 days and young bird can fly after 22-24 days.

Jungle myna can create a health risk for human. It carries bird mites such as Ornithnyssus bursa which may infect human. It can cause dermatitis, asthma and rashes. It's droppings can also cause Salmonellosis.

Scientific name : Acridotheres fucus.