Indian pied myna

The Indian pied myna is a species of starling found in the Indian subcontinent. It is usually found in small groups mainly on the plains and low foothills. It is often seen within cities and villages although it is not as bold as the common myna. It produces a range of calls made up of liquid notes.

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Distribution

Region

Indian Subcontinent

Typical Environment

Widespread across northern and eastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal’s lowlands, and parts of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, favoring plains and low foothills. It frequents open countryside with scattered trees, paddy fields, marsh edges, and village outskirts. The species adapts well to urban and peri-urban areas, using gardens, parks, and roadside groves. It is less common in dense forests and arid deserts, preferring moist, cultivated landscapes with water nearby.

Altitude Range

0–1500 m

Climate Zone

Subtropical

Characteristics

Size21–24 cm

Wing Span37–42 cm

Male Weight0.09 kg

Female Weight0.08 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 3/5

Useful to know

Also called the Indian pied starling, it thrives around human settlements, farmland, and wetlands. It often nests in cavities in trees or buildings and forms noisy communal roosts. Its vocal repertoire includes rich, liquid whistles and it can mimic other sounds. By consuming insects, it can help reduce agricultural pests.

Gallery

An early illustration by George Edwards (1751)

Asian Pied Starling (Pied Myna)...

Asian Pied Starling (Pied Myna) near Chandigarh.

Nest

In flight, Nepal

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

strong direct flight with rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Usually seen in pairs or small groups that may join larger mixed flocks outside the breeding season. Nests in cavities in trees, palms, or buildings and may breed semi-colonially. Both sexes participate in nest building and care for the young. Forms large communal roosts near water or in urban trees.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A varied series of liquid, whistled notes, gurgles, and chatter delivered from perches. Birds often duet and can mimic other species and environmental sounds.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Indian pitta

The Indian pitta is a passerine bird native to the Indian subcontinent. It inhabits scrub jungle, deciduous and dense evergreen forest. It breeds in the forests of the Himalayas, hills of central and western India, and migrates to other parts of the peninsula in winter. Although very colourful, it is usually shy and hidden in the undergrowth where it picks insects on the forest floor. It has a distinctive two note whistling call which is heard at dawn and dusk. It is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List as the population is considered large.

Indian pond heron

The Indian pond heron or paddybird is a small heron. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Iran and east to the Indian subcontinent, Burma, and Sri Lanka. They are widespread and common but can be easily missed when they stalk prey at the edge of small water-bodies or even when they roost close to human habitations.

Indian robin

The Indian robin is a species of passarine bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is widespread in the Indian subcontinent and ranges across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The males of the northern subspecies have brown backs whose extent gradually reduces southwards, with the males of the southern subspecies having all-black backs. They are commonly found in open scrub areas and often seen running along the ground or perching on low thorny shrubs and rocks. The long tail is usually held up and the chestnut undertail coverts and dark body make them easily distinguishable from pied bushchats and Oriental magpie-robins.

Indian roller

The Indian roller is a bird of the family Coraciidae. It is 30–34 cm (12–13 in) long with a wingspan of 65–74 cm (26–29 in) and weighs 166–176 g (5.9–6.2 oz). The face and throat are pinkish, the head and back are brown, with blue on the rump and contrasting light and dark blue on the wings and tail. The bright blue markings on the wing are prominent in flight. The sexes are similar in appearance. Two subspecies are recognised.

Indian scimitar babbler

The Indian scimitar babbler is an Old World babbler. It is found in peninsular India in a range of forest habitats. They are most often detected by their distinctive calls, which include an antiphonal duet by a pair of birds. They are often hard to see as they forage through dense vegetation. The long, curved yellow, scimitar-shaped bills give them their name. It has been treated in the past as a subspecies of the white-browed scimitar babbler which is found along the Himalayas but now separated into two species, the peninsular Indian species and the Sri Lanka scimitar babbler.