# Common Myna (*acridotheres tristis*) The Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) is a highly intelligent, boldly charismatic, and remarkably adaptable passerine bird belonging to the starling family. Originally native to the open woodlands and agricultural areas of Asia, spanning from Iran to Southeast Asia, this resourceful species has aggressively expanded its footprint globally. Often seen fearlessly navigating busy city streets or vocally defending its territory, the Common Myna has thrived alongside human civilization. While their lively antics and impressive vocal repertoire make them fascinating subjects for observation, their overwhelming success comes at a steep ecological cost. Due to their aggressive territorial nature and prolific breeding, they routinely outcompete native species for food resources and crucial nesting hollows. Consequently, they are widely regarded as one of the world's most formidable invasive species in regions like Australia, South Africa, and various island ecosystems. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Found in open woodlands and agricultural fields, often foraging on the ground near human settlements. ![Common Myna](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/112489365/medium.jpg) Photo: David F. Belmonte, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/112489365) ## Appearance The Common Myna is a medium-sized, stocky bird easily identified by its rich, chocolate-brown body plumage that contrasts sharply with a glossy black hood covering its head, neck, and upper breast. One of its most distinctive features is a bright, bare patch of yellow skin located immediately behind each eye, which perfectly matches its stout yellow bill and sturdy yellow legs. In flight, they are unmistakable, flashing large, prominent white circular patches on their primary wing feathers, accompanied by bright white tips on the edges of their tail feathers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Sturnidae - **Genus:** Acridotheres ## Interesting facts - Common Mynas often mate for life, and established pairs can frequently be seen mutually preening each other to reinforce their lifelong bond. - The IUCN declared the Common Myna as one of only three bird species to be included in the top 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species. - They are highly social and often gather in massive, incredibly noisy communal roosts at night, which can contain thousands of individuals. - Unlike many perching birds that navigate the ground by hopping, the Common Myna walks with a confident, distinctive strutting gait. ## Special abilities - **Vocal Mimicry:** They possess an exceptionally versatile syrinx, allowing them to accurately mimic human speech, other bird calls, and environmental noises. - **Aggressive Nest Usurpation:** Mynas frequently and aggressively evict other native birds and small mammals from crucial tree hollows to claim them as their own nesting sites. - **Opportunistic Scavenging:** Their highly adaptable digestive system and bold behavioral nature allow them to exploit a vast array of urban food sources, including human refuse. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 23-26 cm - **Wingspan:** 35-42 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.143 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-12 years - **Clutch Size:** 4-6 - **Incubation:** 13-18 days ## Diet & Feeding The Common Myna is a true generalist, opportunistic omnivore that will eat almost anything it can find, from live prey to human food scraps. - **Age differences:** Chicks are fed a diet predominantly consisting of protein-rich insects and invertebrates to support rapid growth. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Spiders, Fruits, Seeds, Human food scraps - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Competitor:** [Eastern Rosella](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-rosella) (*Platycercus eximius*) — Competes for critical tree-hollow nesting sites, often violently evicting native parrots. - **Eaten by:** House Crow (*Corvus splendens*) — A common urban predator that frequently raids Common Myna nests for eggs and vulnerable chicks. - **Mutualism:** Banyan Tree (*Ficus benghalensis*) — Feeds heavily on the figs of this tree in its native range, acting as an effective seed disperser. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Myna? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Common Myna? 23-26 cm ### What is Common Myna's wingspan? 35-42 cm ### How much does Common Myna weigh? 0.1-0.143 kg ### How long does Common Myna live? 4-12 years ### What does Common Myna eat? The Common Myna is a true generalist, opportunistic omnivore that will eat almost anything it can find, from live prey to human food scraps. ### Where is Common Myna usually found? Found in open woodlands and agricultural fields, often foraging on the ground near human settlements. ### How does Common Myna hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Allerton Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allerton-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/amy-b-h-greenwell-ethnobotanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Heathcote Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heathcote-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Kahanu Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kahanu-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Lahaina Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lahaina-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [National Tropical Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-tropical-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Common Myna](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-myna) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Common Myna: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-myna)