Oct 12
by Admin in Dandeli, Karnataka 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Dandeli, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Southern hill myna

Southern hill myna, Dandeli

  The southern hill myna (Gracula indica) is a member of the starling family. It is a resident of southwest India and Sri Lanka. This was formerly considered conspecific with Common hill myna G. religiosa, but maintained as a separate species differing in its long, narrow serrated wattle on hindcrown; much shorter wings than closest form of G. religiosa; proportionately finer bill; “striking vocal differences”. 23–25 cm; 126 g. Medium-sized black myna with bare patch below eye clearly separated from bare postorbital skin, which extends back to nape, where there is a yellow-orange wattle. The habitat of the southern hill myna is Wooded country, including evergreen forest and well-wooded cultivated areas. This myna is almost entirely arboreal, moving in large, noisy groups of half a dozen or so, in tree-tops at the edge of the forest. It hops sideways along the branch, unlike the characteristic jaunty walk of other mynas. Like most starlings, the hill myna is fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects. The main diet includes fruit and nectar: fruit of figs (Ficus) and berries of sapu tree. Not globally threatened classified as Least Concern by IUCN. Often treated as a race of G. religiosa. Probably not globally […]
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May 15
by Admin in Kabini 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, Nikon, Nikon D750, Southern hill myna, Tamron, Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD

Myna – Southern hill myna

Myna is also known as Mynah. This is jet black bird with yellow and orange beak with some yellow wattles in the sides. It belongs to the starling family and is a resident of the hill region and consequently the name. In the wild myna is not known for mimicry but as a pet / caged bird these are known to imitate other bird sounds, humans and sometimes even whistle. These feed on berries, figs and seeds from a variety of trees and shrubs. The hill myna usually spends time together in a flock. Although the population is getting lesser the bird is classified as least concern as per IUCN.  
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