85. Jungle myna (ಕಾಡು ಗೊರವಂಕ - Kaadu Goravanka)

Jungle myna - ಕಾಡು ಗೊರವಂಕ - Kaadu Goravanka

The jungle myna (Acridotheres fuscus) is a myna, a member of the starling family. It is found patchily distributed across much of the mainland of the Indian Subcontinent but absent in the arid zones of India. It is easily recognized by the tuft of feathers on its forehead that form a frontal crest, a feature also found in the closely related Javan myna and the pale-bellied myna which were treated as a subspecies in the past. The eyes are pale, yellow or blue depending on the population and the base of the orange-yellow bill is dark.

Jungle myna - ಕಾಡು ಗೊರವಂಕ - Kaadu Goravanka

Types of Starling or Myna found in Mysuru:

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 21 species which occur in India, 10 in Karnataka and I have found 5 in Mysuru

• Common myna
• Brahminy starling
• Rosy starling
• Jungle myna
• Chestnut-tailed starling