Hill Myna, Bird

The Hill Myna is a member of the starling family, which resides in the hill regions of South Asia. The myna resides in the lower Himalayas from Kumaon, India extending eastwards in Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. It is also found in Thailand, Indonesia and parts of Southeast Asia.

Hill MynaThe Hill Myna lives in the trees moving in large noisy groups. It has a stocky jet-black body with bright yellow patches of naked skin and fleshy wattles on the side of its head, the backside of the neck and under the eye. This distinguishes the Hill Myna from the Common Myna or the Bank Myna. It is about twenty-nine centimeters in length and is somewhat larger than the common Myna. It has green-glossed black feathers with a tinge of purple on the head and neck. There are large white wing patches, which are visible when the bird flies. The bill and the legs of the bird are bright yellow in colour. There is no distinction mark in the male and the female but the adolescent myna has a comparatively duller bill.

This Hill Myna is known for making loud shrill descending whistles, gurgles, and wails which is followed by other calls. It is heard mostly at dawn and dusk when it is found in small groups. The male and the female both make such loud calls and even makes melodious human like calls. Like most starlings, the Hill Myna is omnivorous and feeds on nectar, fruits and insects. The Hill Myna always builds a nest in the hollow of trees. The normal clutch is two to three eggs.