Yellow-faced Myna
Mino dumontii
A fairly large bird of lowland and foothill forest canopy. Mainly black plumage with yellow eye, belly and an orange-yellow bill with a thin yellow line leading down from the base. Also, white above and below the base of the tail and white wing patch noticeable in flight. Often found in flocks at fruiting trees and sometimes associates with Golden Myna. Similar to Golden Myna, especially in flight, but Yellow-faced Myna has yellow, bare facial skin around the eye, black chest and white rump. Voice, a nasal, froglike “gau-wak!”.
Identification
The yellow-faced myna grows to a length of between 23 and 26 cm (9 and 10 in) and is one of the largest species of starling. The head has short black feathers glossed bluish-purple on the forehead and at the base of the upper mandible, but most of the head is bare yellowish-orange skin. This forms a wide patch around and behind the eye and includes a bib on the chin and the sides of the throat. The neck, central throat and mantle are black glossed with purple while the back, wings, breast and belly are black glossed with green. The rump is white, the lower belly is golden-yellow and the undertail-coverts are white. The short, squarish tail is black. The iris is usually yellow, but in some parts of New Guinea may be brown. The bill and legs are yellow.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Mino dumontii
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP, 1827)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Mino
Range and habitat
This myna is endemic to New Guinea. As well as being present on the mainland, its range extends to many of the smaller offshore islands. It is common over much of its range at altitudes of up to about 800 metres (2,600 ft) and even higher in parts of Papua New Guinea. It is not present on the southeastern coast of the mainland however. Its typical habitats include rainforests, forest fringes, partially cut areas, secondary growth and gallery forests, and it is sometimes present in savannah areas.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
M. dumontii is sometimes seen in small groups but is more often found in pairs. It occasionally forms larger flocks, and communal roosts in tall trees have been described, containing over two hundred birds. It is a noisy bird, emitting a variety of "nasal, growling, and croaking calls with a sometimes human-like conversational quality". It often perches in an elevated position, calling loudly. It has a quick wing-beat and a direct flight, and pairs of birds are often seen flying together; it is possible that this species is monogamous and pairs for life.<p>This bird is usually found high in the canopy feeding mainly on berries and fruit, although it also feeds on small invertebrates, and it has been observed catching insects in flight. It breeds in holes and crevices in trees well above the ground. The nests are formed of twigs and one or two pale blue eggs speckled with grey and rust are laid. Three birds have been observed carrying nesting material into a single hole, so it is possible that there is some degree of cooperation from the extended family.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Green Barbet
Cryptolybia olivacea
Chunky olive-green barbet. The head pattern varies geographically, from uniform olive-green, to olive-green with a yellow or buff ear patch, to black with a yellow ear patch. Found in the canopy of lowland and montane forest, often in the vicinity of fruiting trees. Sometimes perches out on dead trees, though otherwise inconspicuous. Call is a repeated, wooden “chak”. Similar overall coloration, but much larger than green tinkerbirds.
Gray Butcherbird
Cracticus torquatus
Medium-sized ambush-hunter with a long gray bill with a dark, hooked tip. Black head and face with a white nape and throat. Upperparts dark gray, with white rump, mostly black wings (limited white), and black tail with narrow white tip. Rollicking, chuckling song.
New Guinea Eagle
Harpyopsis novaeguineae
A huge raptor of lowland and montane forest. Note long legs, pale belly, dark back and hint of a crest at the back of the head. Doesn’t soar but rather scans for prey from a branch. Superficially similar when perched to Long-tailed Honey-buzzard and Doria’s Goshawk, but New Guinea Eagle is much larger, with a thicker bill and less streaky on the chest. More often heard than seen. Call, a short, far-carrying, nasal “gak!” or low “Boop!”.
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