Great Myna
Acridotheres grandis
A black myna with a spiffy crest. Not actually significantly larger than other dark crested mynas, but the combination of the bright yellow bill, prominent spiky crest, and white vent serve to distinguish it from other similar mynas. Forages in flocks in open areas such as meadows, agricultural fields, and urban parks and gardens, often with other species of mynas and starlings.
Identification
It is black with elongated forehead feathers, forming a frontal crest that may curl backwards. Its beak and feet are yellow. It has white from the vent to the tip of the tail and a white wing patch.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Acridotheres grandis
- Authority
- Moore, F, 1858
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Acridotheres
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor
Slender, medium-sized heron. Slaty-blue overall with a white belly and white underwings. Extremely long bill. In breeding plumage, look for buffy plumes on the lower back and orange tones on the throat and foreneck. Juveniles are stained rusty on the neck and shoulders. Fairly common but with restricted range in the southeastern U.S., mainly along the coast. More widespread in Central America and northern South America. Occurs in shallow wetlands, marshes, and mudflats. Often forages actively, darting around erratically and chasing after fish.

Square-tailed Nightjar
Caprimulgus fossii
Medium-sized, typical nightjar with bold pale spots on the back. Both sexes have a broad pale patch on the outer tail that is white in males and buff in females. Found in a variety of woodland and savanna habitats that are usually moist and often near water. Song is an extraordinarily long, dry trill that changes in speed and pitch. Most similar to Swamp Nightjar, but has smaller pale patches in the outer tail and lacks a blackish cheek; male has a white trailing edge to the wing in flight. Also similar to Montane Nightjar but found in different habitat.

Alpine Swift
Tachymarptis melba
Spectacular and distinctive large, dark brown swift with white belly and throat patch. Noticeably larger than Common Swift and Blyth’s Swift, but with slower wingbeats and a "lazier" and wider soaring flight. Breeds colonially in cliff faces, mountains, and larger buildings. Migratory in parts of its range. Call is an extremely shrill, chittering scream.
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