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
Crimson Seedcracker
Pyrenestes sanguineus
A chunky-billed brown finch with an electric-red rump, red tail, and red hood that extends from the throat to the nape; the hood of the male is larger than the female’s and extends down the flanks. Juvenile is duller than the adult. A secretive and uncommon resident restricted to Upper Guinea, found in pairs in swamp forest, scrub near creeks, and thickets near water in primary and secondary forest; also sometimes in cultivation. Song is a variable series of buzzes and whistles, and call is a strident “tsut…tsut.” Male Black-bellied Seedcracker differs from Crimson by having a black (not brown) back and belly; females and juveniles are almost identical but only overlap in eastern Ivory Coast.
Flame-breasted Sunbird
Cinnyris solaris
Spectacular male shows glossy blue-green throat and forehead, diagnostic orange breast and belly, and olive back. Female is dull olive with muted yellow underparts and sometimes a yellow eyebrow. Juvenile is a grayer version of female. Singles and pairs inhabit relatively open country, including sparse woods, scrub, and plantations in the lowlands and low hills. Confined to the Lesser Sundas. Female usually duller yellow beneath than female Olive-backed Sunbird, and Flame-breasted sometimes lacks an eyebrow, which is always present in Olive-backed. Song is a series of high-pitched repeated see-sawing whistles, “witchi-witchew,” as well as upslurred “twee” and “tsew” call notes.
Indian Cuckooshrike
Coracina macei
A large gray cuckooshrike with a strong, hooked bill. Upperparts are mostly gray with black primaries; male darker than female. Note pale patch on back and white tail tips when bird is in flight. Male is gray with a lightly barred white belly. Female has denser barring that transitions to a white lower belly and undertail. Both sexes have a dark patch from the bill to slightly behind the eye, giving a masked impression. Juvenile is brownish, heavily scaled with whitish-buff, and mottled on the underparts. Immature has broader white edges to wing feathers. Vocal. Often gives a two-noted, rather nasal “gii-yaak,” uttered in flight as well as from a perch; also gives scratchy squeal calls. Inhabits lightly wooded country, avoiding wet forests.
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