Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Sturnidae (starlings)
- Genus: Acridotheres
- Species: Acridotheres fuscus
Common Names
- Jungle myna
- Jungle myna (also spelled “mynah”)
Description
The jungle myna is a medium‑sized passerine bird measuring approximately 22–24 cm in length. Adults display predominantly dark brown to black plumage with a glossy sheen. The head, throat, and upper breast are typically black, while the underparts are lighter, often exhibiting a dull brown or gray tone. The species possesses a strong, slightly hooked beak adapted for an omnivorous diet and a relatively long, graduated tail. Vocalizations include a range of harsh calls and chirps used for territorial defense and social interaction.
Distribution and Habitat
- Acridotheres fuscus* is native to the Indian subcontinent, with its range extending across northern and central India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Bangladesh. The bird inhabits dense, moist forests, including tropical evergreen and subtropical broad‑leaf forests, often favoring the interior of jungle habitats rather than open or cultivated areas. It may also be found in forest edges, riverine groves, and occasionally in secondary growth.
Behavior and Ecology
- Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on insects, fruit, nectar, seeds, and occasional small vertebrates. Foraging occurs primarily in the canopy and lower understory, where the bird gleans insects from foliage and captures aerial prey.
- Breeding: Breeding season varies regionally but generally coincides with the pre‑monsoon or monsoon periods. Nests are built in tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or sometimes in man‑made structures. Clutch size typically ranges from 3 to 5 eggs, which are incubated primarily by the female. Both parents participate in feeding the nestlings.
- Social Structure: Usually observed in small family groups or loose flocks. Displays territorial aggression toward conspecifics, especially during the breeding season.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists the jungle myna (Acridotheres fuscus) as Least Concern due to its relatively wide distribution and stable population trends. However, habitat loss from deforestation and forest fragmentation poses localized threats, particularly in the western part of its range.
References
- BirdLife International. Species factsheet: Acridotheres fuscus.
- del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., & Christie, D. (Eds.). (2020). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (Vol. 13). Lynx Edicions.
- Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C. (2012). Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Lynx Edicions.
