Pale-bellied Myna

Acridotheres cinereus

A gray starling with a contrastingly black head, a small tuft above the bill, a white wing patch, a pale eye, and yellow legs and beak. Juvenile browner than adult, with pale brown head. Groups inhabit open country in lowlands and foothills such as croplands, cultivated areas, and grasslands, frequently feeding on the ground, sometimes around livestock. Native to Sulawesi, introduced in Borneo. Differs from Crested Myna in white vent and from Javan Myna in paler belly; both of those species introduced on Borneo too. Vocalizations include rattles and whistles.

Identification

The pale-bellied myna (Acridotheres cinereus) is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is endemic to the southwestern peninsula of Sulawesi (south from Ranteapo), Indonesia. It has been introduced to Tawau, Sabah (Borneo).

Taxonomy

Genus: Acridotheres; Family: Sturnidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Acridotheres cinereus
Authority
Bonaparte, 1850
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Sturnidae
Genus
Acridotheres

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

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