Fun Great Myna Facts For Kids
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The great myna (Acridotheres grandis) or white-vented myna is a related species of the common myna (Acridotheres tristis). These birds have a unique yellow bill, brown feathers with white specks, and a white-colored tail.
These birds are related to the species of starlings and are native to Asian countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
While they form monogamous pairs, breeding occurs between March and April, beginning with their search for the perfect partner. Post-breeding, four to six eggs are laid and the chicks are born blind.
They live in a range of habitats like woodlands, meadows, and in urban areas where they can efficiently search for their foods.
They are a bird of Least Concern in the description of the IUCN Red List as there are no known threats to their survival at present. This species in particular is not endemic to anywhere but other myna species are endemic to some Asian countries.
Want to know more about great mynas? Read on for more. Check out some interesting facts about the Bali myna and Common hill myna here.
Great Myna Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a great myna?
The great myna (Acridotheres grandis) is a medium-sized bird species whose distribution is mostly dominated in the south of Asia.
What class of animal does a great myna belong to?
The scientific classification of this bird including its kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus goes as Animalia, Chordata, Aves, Passeriformes, Sternidae and Acridotheras respectively.
How many great mynas are there in the world?
At present, the exact estimate of the population size of great mynas is unknown.
Where does a great myna live?
The distribution of great mynas and the common myna is mostly native to South Asian countries like India, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indo-China, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Vietnam. Both the sub-species are found in almost every state in India.
What is a great myna's habitat?
The common habitat of the great myna and common myna includes tropical grass plains, wetlands, woodlands, agricultural fields, parks, cities. They are found to survive well both in natural and man-made habitats as they can efficiently search for their food from both animal and plant sources.
Who do great myna live with?
Great mynas are one of the most sociable birds of the world who prefer living in roosts of over 100 birds. They are comfortable living with their own group or a mix of other species of birds like crows, common mynas, and starlings.
How long does a great myna live?
The average lifespan of great mynas typically ranges between 4-12 years in the wild.
How do they reproduce?
Great mynas are monogamous and the breeding season range is between March to April. Myna pairs search for perfect spots like holes on trees and branches to build their nest.
After mating, the female lays four to six eggs on the nest, incubating them for 17-18 days, after which the eggs hatch out. The chicks are born blind and are nourished by the mother until they become mature enough to search and hunt their own food.
What is their conservation status?
At present, the great myna (Acridotheres grandis) is listed as a species of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. There are no major threats to their survival at present, so their population size is stable.
Great Myna Fun Facts
What do great mynas look like?
The great myna has a long and slender feather-covered body. This myna species has brown to blackish brown feathers on its body with a spiky crest and long neck. Its eyes are reddish-brown and its bill is bright yellow in color.
The tail has a white band and stripes at the edge. The legs of these birds are also bright yellow. The underside of its wing has specks of white stripes, as identified in several photos.
How cute are they?
As seen in photos, their spiky crest and puffed chest with specks of white feathers make all great mynas some of the most cute-looking birds of the world.
How do they communicate?
These mynas, a species of sterlings, can communicate verbally by squawking, chirpings, croaking, and sometimes growling.
How big is a great myna?
The average height of this myna species is 9.1 in (23 cm), including wing size. They are three times bigger than a sparrow.
How fast can a great myna fly?
The average flying speed of a great myna is 18.6 mph (30 kph).
How much does a great myna weigh?
The weight of both the great myna (Acridotheres grandis) and common myna (Acridotheres Tristis) range is between 3.8-4.9 oz (107.7-139 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
There are no separate names given to the male and female species.
What would you call a baby great myna?
The baby of a great myna is called a chick.
What do they eat?
The great myna has an omnivorous diet, obtaining nutrition from both plant and animal foods. While their animal food sources come from bees, flies, thickets, worms, insect larvae, lizards, snakes, snails, and small mammals, their plant-based menu includes seeds, grains, and fruits.
Are they dangerous?
Both the great myna and the common myna pose no danger to human beings. They fly away on their own when humans step close to them. However, their yellow bill is sharp enough to injure you when disturbed. Also, they are efficient prey-catchers and are only dangerous to their prey.
Would they make a good pet?
They are wild animals, therefore it is not appropriate to have them as pets
Did you know...
Sometimes these mynas can hop on the ground to search for their prey.
Screeching mynas indicate either a mating call to a female myna during the months of March and April or is a sign of a predator around.
Before a school of these birds go to sleep, all of them together give out a communal noise.
These birds of the world help in the fast dispersal of seeds across their habitat range, helping in the pollination of various plants.
What is special about the myna?
The population of these medium-sized birds of the world is common in South-Asian countries. Their blackish-brown body with white specks on its feathers and bright yellow bill and legs make them unique from other birds of the world. As seen in photos, the underside of the tail of this bird species has a white band.
What is the myna bird called in English?
The myna bird species is one of the most common birds of the world, typically found in India. They are called white-vented mynas in English. The myna sub-species of the world are identified by their unique scientific names, all of which are related to the species of starlings.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our common raven facts and lilac-crowned amazon facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by colouring in one of our free printable great myna coloring pages.
Second image by Savi.odl
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