Common hill myna

Lore & Background

The genus name is from Latin graculus, an unknown bird sometimes identified as the western jackdaw. The specific epithet religiosa is from Latin religiosus meaning 'sacred'. Nine subspecies are recognised, including G. r. intermedia from northern India to Indochina, G. r. religiosa from the Malay Peninsula to Borneo, and G. r. miotera from Simeulue, which a 2020 study proposed as a distinct species; its status is critically endangered or possibly extinct, but it has not been definitively documented as extinct in the wild in the late 2010s.

Reader's Guide

The common hill myna is a stocky jet-black myna with bright orange-yellow patches of naked skin and fleshy wattles on the side of its head and nape. It is overall green-glossed black plumage, purple-tinged on the head and neck, with large white wing patches obvious in flight. The bill and strong legs are bright yellow. Both sexes can produce an extraordinarily wide range of loud calls – whistles, wails, screeches, and gurgles – and in captivity they are among the most renowned mimics, on par with the grey parrot. The species is almost entirely arboreal, moving in large, noisy groups in tree-tops at the edge of the forest. It is fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects. The subspecies G. r.

Did You Know?

• The common hill myna is known to mimic other bird calls and sounds in the wild as part of its natural vocal repertoire.
• In captivity, it is one of the most renowned mimics, the only bird perhaps on par with the grey parrot.
• The subspecies G. r. miotera from Simeulue is critically endangered or possibly extinct, but has not been definitively documented as extinct in the wild in the late 2010s.
• The species is virtually extinct in Bangladesh due to habitat destruction and overexploitation for the pet trade.

Physical Appearance & Lifespan

The southern hill myna (Gracula indica) belongs to the starling family and presents a striking visual profile. Its plumage is a deep, glossy black that catches the light, while the legs stand out in a vivid yellow. The beak is particularly eye-catching, transitioning from a bright orange at the base to a yellow tip. White spots dot the primary flight feathers, adding contrast to the otherwise dark body. Like its hill myna relatives, it sports distinctive yellow wattles on the head. The bird is relatively compact, measuring roughly twenty centimeters in length. Both males and females share the same appearance, making them visually indistinguishable from one another. In terms of lifespan, individuals can survive anywhere from fifteen to thirty years, a considerable span for a bird of its modest size.

Habitat & Social Life

The southern hill myna calls the forested landscapes of southwestern India and Sri Lanka home, favoring tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, mountainous terrain, mangrove thickets, and even plantation areas. Within these habitats, it typically perches high in the canopy, favoring the treetops at the forest's edge. Rather than flying long distances, it moves by hopping sideways along branches. Socially, this species travels in large, noisy groups of roughly half a dozen individuals. Flock members maintain constant contact through a wide variety of vocalizations, keeping the group cohesive as they forage. Their diet reflects the omnivorous nature typical of starlings, encompassing fruit, nectar, and insects. This flexible feeding strategy allows them to thrive across the diverse forest types they inhabit.

Vocal Talent & Etymology

Perhaps the most celebrated trait of the hill myna is its extraordinary vocal range. The bird produces a melodious voice capable of emitting a wide array of croaks and calls, and it is widely regarded as one of the finest talking birds in the avian world. It can imitate human sounds and speech with a degree of accuracy that reportedly surpasses that of parrots, making it a prized subject for captive breeding specifically for this vocal talent. The French name mainate for the bird traces back to the Indo-Portuguese mainato, originally the name of a songbird living near water, and is thought to be a metaphor referencing a man whose occupation was washing other people's clothes. Interestingly, the southern hill myna is considered slightly less vocally gifted than the common hill myna, a very similar species whose geographic range does not overlap with its southern counterpart.

Reproduction & Conservation Outlook

The southern hill myna follows a relatively straightforward reproductive strategy. Both sexes work together to construct a nest, typically selecting a hole in a tree as the breeding site. A clutch usually consists of two or three eggs, and because males and females are visually indistinguishable, both likely share in the parental duties. Despite these reproductive patterns, the species is experiencing a declining population trend. Nevertheless, the IUCN currently classifies it as Least Concern, indicating that while numbers are dropping, the species has not yet reached a level of threat warranting a higher conservation category. Its presence across multiple habitat types in southwestern India and Sri Lanka, combined with its adaptability to plantation areas, may offer some buffer against the pressures driving its gradual population decline.

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