Scientific Classification

Common Name

golden-crested mynah

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Sturnidae

Genus Species

Ampeliceps coronatus (crown)

Fast Facts

Description

The golden-crested mynah is a small bird with a bright yellow crest that lays flat against its head. The back and wings are black and they have an orange beak.

Size

Approximately 21.59 cm (8.5 in.) in length

Diet

Mostly feeds on insects and fruits; sometimes includes small fish, birds and lizards

Incubation

11 to 14 days

Clutch Size

3 to 5 eggs

Fledging Duration

Approximately 3 weeks

Life Span

15 to 20 years

Range

The golden-crested mynah can be found in Cambodia, China, India, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Habitat

Tropical regions; found in lowland forests

Population

The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be scarce to locally common. The population appears to be decreasing due to habitat destruction and fragmentation

Status;

IUCN: Least concern
CITES: Not listed
USFWS: Not listed

Fun Facts

Mynahs are able to learn to mimic human voices or any sounds they choose.

The word "mynah" derives from the Sanskrit "madana" meaning joyful or delightful, which is derived from the root meaning "bubbles." So the derived word "mynah" means "bubbling with joy."

Mynahs prefer to build their nests in holes, tree cavities, but may also use openings in cliff sides, walls, or even rooftops.

Ecology and Conservation

Although starlings and mynah birds, are native to Africa and Southeast Asia, some were intentionally introduced to North America, Hawaii, and Australia to aid in insect control.

Bibliography

Austin, G. Birds of the World. Golden Press, Inc., New York. 1961.

Gotch, A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained. Poole, Dorst: Blandford Press, 1981.

Perrins, C. M. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds: The Definitive Reference to Birds of the World. New York: Prentice Hall Press. 1990.

honoluluzoo.org/mynah_bird.htm

mynahbird.com/articles/mynahs/mynahs.html

BirdLife International. 2017. Ampeliceps coronatus (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22710949A111064635.http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22710949A111064635.en/. Downloaded on 02 November 2018.

Photo Credit: Golden_crowned_Myna.jpg. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Image by: Charles Lam. Year Created: 17 September 2005. Website: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Golden_crowned_Myna.jpg. License: CC by SA 2.0.