The Tenggara hill myna is a member of the starling family. It is a resident of Indonesia.
Region
Lesser Sunda Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs in the Nusa Tenggara archipelago of Indonesia, where it inhabits evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, forest edges, secondary woodland, and plantations. It favors areas with tall trees that provide cavities for nesting. Birds often forage along forest margins, riverine corridors, and village groves. It will also visit fruiting trees in agricultural mosaics and coastal hill forests.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Tenggara hill myna is a striking starling famed for its loud, flute-like whistles and capacity to mimic sounds. It nests in tree cavities and is often seen in pairs or small, noisy groups. Like other hill mynas, it shows a bold white wing patch in flight and bright yellow fleshy wattles on the head. Trapping for the cage-bird trade has impacted many hill myna populations in Indonesia.
Temperament
social and noisy
Flight Pattern
strong flier with direct flight
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small groups, sometimes joining loose flocks at fruiting trees. It nests in natural cavities high in large trees, with both parents attending the young. Pairs maintain small territories around nest sites while foraging more widely in surrounding habitat.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Rich, melodious whistles, gurgles, and warbles, delivered loudly from exposed perches. Skilled mimic that can imitate calls of other birds and environmental sounds.
Plumage
Glossy black with a purple-green sheen and a bold white wing patch visible at rest and in flight.
Diet
Primarily consumes fruits and berries, including figs and other soft, pulpy fruits. Also takes nectar and flower petals when available. Supplements its diet with insects, larvae, and other small invertebrates gleaned from foliage and bark.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in forest canopies, edges, and secondary growth, often at fruiting trees. Readily visits orchards, village trees, and plantations where native fruits are scarce.
