Sulawesi Myna
Basilornis celebensis
A glossy-black starling with a rounded crest and prominent pale markings on cheeks and breast sides. Juvenile dark brown with a pale underside. Inhabits canopy of forest, forest edge, and nearby degraded areas within lowlands and foothills, typically in pairs or small groups. Distinguished from Short-tailed and Asian Glossy Starlings by large-headed appearance (due to crest) and conspicuous pale patches in plumage. Calls include a clear, metallic, piercing “tzew” and “tzip” as well as “zowee” notes; also gives quiet buzzy warbles.
Identification
The Sulawesi myna grows to a length of 23 to 27 cm (9.1 to 10.6 in). It is a glossy black bird with a permanently raised crest which is larger in the male. The sides of the face and throat have white patches. The eye is surrounded by a bluish-black ring of bare skin, the beak is pale bluish-green and the legs are yellowish. Juvenile birds are chocolate brown.<p>This myna has a range of sounds including grunts, high-pitched whistles, squeaks and warbles. One call is a descending sequence of whistles and another is a descending nasal call that sounds like "meeow" and is uttered with the head thrusting forwards and the back feathers fluffed up.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Basilornis celebensis
- Authority
- Gray, GR, 1861
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Basilornis
Range and habitat
This myna is endemic to the humid forests of hilly districts of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Its main habitat here is forest fringes, clearings, scattered areas of woodland and secondary forests, although it is sometimes found in primary forests. It is also present on the smaller islands of Lembeh, Muna and Buton; these are lowland islands and the habitat is mostly grassland savannah with patches of evergreen woodland in which the bird is primarily found.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The species usually feeds high in the forest canopy. It usually occurs in pairs or small family groups, but sometimes solitary individuals can be seen. Immature individuals may join flocks of fiery-browed starling (Enodes erythrophris) and it often associates with groups of other fruit-eating birds.<p>Little is known about the breeding habits of this bird. Its diet is estimated to consist of about 44% fruit and 52% invertebrates, the balance being taken up by small vertebrates. It is a non-migratory species but presumably moves about the forest in response to the ripening of fruits on different species of tree.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Melanerpes aurifrons
Medium-sized woodpecker, plain buffy-brown overall with black-and-white barring on the back. Head pattern varies across range but usually shows some combination of yellow and red. Most males on the Caribbean slope of Mexico and into Central America have a solidly red crown and nape. In flight, look for white rump. Common and conspicuous in open woodlands, deciduous forest, and arid scrub from Texas and Oklahoma south to Nicaragua. Often the default woodpecker close to human settlements. Visits backyards and feeders, especially for oranges and jelly. Hybridizes with Red-bellied Woodpecker at the northern limits of its range and with Hoffmann’s Woodpecker at the southern limits. Also compare with the smaller Yucatan Woodpecker.
Bornean Ground-Cuckoo
Carpococcyx radiceus
Secretive pheasant-like cuckoo that is more often heard than seen; listen for its dove-like “coo-KOO” song and odd sneeze-like call. Beautiful if seen well: iridescent purple-green wings, long dark tail, finely barred underparts, black head, and pale blue-green face and bill. Forages on the ground, often following ant swarms or Bornean bearded pigs as they flush out potential prey. Favors pristine lowland rainforests, particularly in riverine or swampy areas.
Seychelles White-eye
Zosterops modestus
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Very dull olive-brown in coloration, with conspicuous white “spectacles.” Found locally in forest, woodland, and gardens on some of the granitic Seychelles islands. Usually found in hyperactive flocks. Vaguely similar to Seychelles Warbler, but smaller, shorter-tailed, and darker below, with bold white spectacles. Most common call is a “tew” note given singly or in a series. The song is a complex, varied sequence of high-pitched notes.
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