Crested Myna

Acridotheres cristatellus

Known for its distinctive mohawk-style crest and glossy black feathers, this bold city dweller struts confidently through parks and gardens across Asia, where it's become a familiar sight in bustling urban areas.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Crested Myna is a striking bird with glossy black plumage covering most of its body. Its most distinctive feature is a prominent crest of feathers on its forehead, giving it a mohawk-like appearance. The bird has a bright yellow beak and legs, contrasting sharply with its dark body.

White patches on the wings become visible during flight, and a small white patch can be seen at the base of the tail. Both males and females look similar, although males tend to be larger, and females have less pronounced crests. Juveniles appear duller and also have a less pronounced crest.

Size

Length

24cm to 27cm

Wingspan

42cm to 48cm

Weight

110g to 140g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Crested Myna can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Crested Myna is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Crested Myna is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Crested Myna is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Crested Myna can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Crested Myna can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Crested Myna is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Crested Myna is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Crested Myna is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Crested Myna is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Crested Myna is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Crested Myna is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Native to parts of Southeast Asia, including southern China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam, the Crested Myna inhabits a range of environments. They are commonly found in open woodlands, cultivated areas, and urban settings, showing a remarkable ability to adapt to human-modified landscapes.

While primarily resident in their native range, Crested Mynas have been introduced to various locations worldwide, including parts of North America (now thought to be extinct), Japan, and some Pacific islands. In these areas, they have established breeding populations, often in urban and suburban environments.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,200 meters

Climate zones

Subtropical, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Crested Myna. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons