Crested Myna
- Distribution: Eastern Asia (China, Taiwan, Vietnam).
- Habitat: Forest edges, agricultural areas, urban parks.
- Diet: Insects, fruits, seeds, small vertebrates.
- Size: 25-29 cm length.
The Chinese starling, or crested myna (Acridotheres cristatellus), is a species of starling found in the genus Acridotheres and is native to southeast China and Indochina. It gets its name from the feathered tuft that mimics a crest on its forehead.
Typically, the crested myna inhabits open landscapes that are close to both agricultural and urban areas. Because it is a common cage bird, it has inadvertently been released in a few locations outside of its typical range.
The tuft of feathers on the forehead of the crested myna, which covers its nostrils, resembles a crest, hence the name. It has a little green shimmer and is primarily black. Under its wings are a few of white wing patches that are more noticeable when it is flying. The primaries have white tips and bases. Except for the middle pair, all of the tail feathers have white tips. The undertail coverts have a white tip and are black in color. The adult’s legs are a dull dark yellow, its bill is pale yellow, and its eyes are orange. It has a thin, razor-sharp bill. Compared to the females, the males are marginally bigger. The crest of the female is marginally less developed.
The habitats in which the crested myna can be found range from urban to rural. In urban areas, it is visible in parking lots, along parks and gardens, on roadways and lanes, and in the eaves of buildings. It is found on roofs, in trees, in chimneys, and beneath bridges. It is observed in rural locations around manure piles, in farmyards and orchards, and on agricultural fields. In order to benefit from the invertebrates present in the tilled soil, it can be observed close to plowed fields. It frequently hangs around livestock, where it consumes the insects in the area. It is also frequently found in fields, meadows, and the margins of woods.
The crested myna makes a variety of sounds, including whistles, warbles, and chortles. It makes a raspy jaaay sound when startled. A succession of chuffs or creeks are examples of other calls. In crested mynas, vocal imitation of human speech and other yard birds has been documented.
The crested myna is a bird of omnivoredom. This bird can eat a wide range of foods, including fruit, cereals, meat, manure, and trash, even though its primary food source is insects.