Crested Myna Bird Facts (Acridotheres cristatellus)

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

Resident

Breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Argentina Brunei China Japan Laos Malaysia Myanmar Taiwan Vietnam

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Philippines Singapore

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Thailand

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Crested Myna demonstrates considerable agility through its varied foraging behaviours, from ground feeding to arboreal manoeuvring. Their ability to navigate both urban environments and natural habitats, coupled with their skilled flight capabilities and distinctive wing patches, suggests above-average agility for a bird of their size.

Strength 55

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly powerful for their size, these medium-sized birds possess adequate strength for their lifestyle. Their weight range of 110-140g and wingspan of 42-48cm indicates moderate strength, sufficient for their omnivorous foraging habits and tool manipulation.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Exceptionally adaptable birds, thriving across urban, farmland and woodland environments. Their omnivorous diet, tool use capabilities, and successful colonisation of introduced territories demonstrate remarkable adaptability. Their ability to utilise various nesting sites and food sources further supports their highly adaptive nature.

Aggressiveness 65

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Moderately aggressive when necessary, particularly during breeding season and territory defence. Whilst generally social and peaceful within their species, their successful establishment in new territories and ability to compete with native species suggests a reasonable level of assertiveness.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Strong endurance evidenced by their ability to maintain active foraging throughout the day and their success as resident (non-migratory) birds across various climates. Their stable populations across different elevations (up to 2,200m) and ability to thrive in diverse conditions indicates robust endurance.

Diet

Crested Mynas are omnivorous, with a diet consisting of insects, fruits, and seeds. They are opportunistic feeders, often seen foraging on the ground for invertebrates or picking fruits from trees.

In urban areas, they may also scavenge for human food scraps, demonstrating their adaptability to various food sources.

Behaviour

Crested Mynas are highly social birds, often seen in pairs or small flocks. They have a confident, upright posture when walking on the ground, frequently bobbing their heads.

These birds are known for their adaptability. They thrive in urban environments, foraging for food in parks, gardens, and even near human habitations.

Vocalisation

Crested Mynas are known for their varied and complex vocalisations. Their repertoire includes whistles, chatters, and warbles, often mimicking other bird species and even human-made sounds.

Their calls can be described as a mix of melodious notes and harsher, more grating sounds, sometimes resembling a 'kree-kree' or 'chee-chee' sound.

Nesting & Breeding

Crested Mynas typically breed between March and August, with some variation depending on location. They form monogamous pairs and often return to the same nesting sites year after year. These birds are cavity nesters, utilising tree holes, building crevices, or nest boxes.

The nest is constructed with a variety of materials, including grass, leaves, and feathers. Females usually lay 4-5 pale blue eggs, which both parents incubate for about 13-14 days. The eggs are oval-shaped and have a smooth, slightly glossy surface.

After hatching, both parents care for the chicks, which fledge after approximately 22-24 days. The young birds may remain with their parents for several weeks after leaving the nest, learning essential foraging skills.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

The Crested Myna is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large range and stable population.

However, in some areas where it has been introduced, such as Vancouver, Canada, efforts have been made to control its population to protect native bird species. Habitat loss in its native range remains a potential concern.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

Not quantified, but common throughout its range ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Chinese Starling

Family:

Sturnidae

Average Lifespan

11 years

Max Lifespan

13 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators of Crested Mynas include birds of prey such as hawks and falcons, as well as domestic and feral cats in urban areas.

Did You Know?

Crested Mynas are excellent mimics and can imitate a wide range of sounds, including other bird calls and human noises.
They have been observed using tools, such as twigs, to probe for insects in tree bark.
In some cultures, Crested Mynas are kept as pets due to their intelligence and ability to mimic human speech.