Myna

Related Category: Vertebrate Zoology

or mynah(both: mī´nə), common name for a type of Asian starling found chiefly in India and Sri Lanka and known for its power of mimicry. Most familiar is the hill myna, Gracula religiosa, a large (12–15 in./30–38 cm), glossy black bird with yellow head wattles. It is a forest dweller and lives mostly on fruits. In the wild state its calls vary from low chuckles to loud whistles; when trained it is a better mimic than the parrot. The common myna of S Asia, genus Acridotheres, is smaller (10 in./25 cm) and not so good a mimic. The Papuan myna is found on the islands of the S Pacific. Some species, such as the Buli mynah, are highly endangered. Mynas are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Sturnidae.