Long-tailed Myna
Mino kreffti
An unmistakable very large starling. Mostly glossy purplish-black with stunning large bright yellow bare facial skin and bill. In flight, white rump and white wing patches are obvious. Found in forest edge, forest, and secondary growth below 1000 meters of elevation. Voice consists of a varied chorus of whistles and squawks.
Identification
Going on standard measurements and length, this very large myna is one of the largest member of the diverse family Sturnidae, behind only perhaps the Nias hill myna. It measures 29–32 cm (11–13 in) in length. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 15.4 to 16.8 cm (6.1 to 6.6 in), the tail is 11.2 to 12.1 cm (4.4 to 4.8 in), the culmen is 2.9 to 3.3 cm (1.1 to 1.3 in) and the tarsus is 3.8 to 4.3 cm (1.5 to 1.7 in). No known weights have been reported. These measurements are just slightly larger on average than the closely related yellow-faced myna and indicate the species is around three times as massive as the common starling. The long-tailed myna mainly has purple-glossed black plumage. It has bright orange-yellow patches of naked skin around each eye. It has a yellow lower belly and white wing patches, which are obvious in flight. The rump and undertail are white and the strong bill is bright yellow.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Mino kreffti
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1869)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Mino
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The long-tailed myna nests in tree holes, often in palms. The eggs are pale blue with delicate reddish or grey markings.<p>This myna is arboreal, and is found alone or in pairs in open lowland forests and plantations. It feeds mainly on fruits and berries. It is a conspicuous and vocal species with a wide range of whistles and squawks.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Guttulate Foliage-gleaner
Syndactyla guttulata
Streaked, rufous-brown bird, medium-sized with upturned bill, buffy eyebrow and throat, and long, rufous tail. Obvious buffy streaks on head, back, and underparts. Sexes similar. Fairly common (easiest to find by voice) in dense understory of cloud forest from medium to high elevations, often in bamboo patches. Usually alone or in pairs or mixed species flocks foraging at low levels, moving fast and examining bromeliads and dry leaves. Call is a harsh, nasal note; song is a series of accelerating, harsh, and noisy notes. Endemic to the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela.
Common Black Hawk
Buteogallus anthracinus
An aptly-named entirely black hawk with broad wings and short tail with a distinct white band. Flight feathers are slightly paler and it has long yellow legs and yellow on the base of the bill. Immature birds are streaky brown with dark moustache and pale eyebrow. Typically found in woodlands near water where it hunts; shows an affinity for cottonwood trees at the northern end of its range.
White-headed Vanga
Artamella viridis
Mid-sized black-backed vanga with a typical bill. Males are pure white on the head and underparts, while females are pale gray. Madagascar endemic that is found at low and middle elevations in all forest types, and sometimes in adjacent plantations and scrub. Vocalizations include harsh scolds and penetrating hollow whistles. Larger than Chabert Vanga, with a completely pale head. Smaller than Sickle-billed Vanga, with a much shorter bill.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.