Myna

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Mynah
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Myna
Common myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Common myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Scientific classificationEdit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Suborder: Passeri
Family: Sturnidae

The mynas (/ˈmnə/; also spelled mynah) are a group of birds in the starling family (Sturnidae). This is a group of passerine birds which are native to Southern Asia, especially Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Several species have been introduced to areas like North America, Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand, especially the common myna, which is often regarded as an invasive species.

Mynas are not a natural group;

extinct
in the wild, is highly distinctive.

Some mynas are considered talking birds, for their ability to reproduce sounds, including human speech, when in captivity.

Myna is derived from the

Hindi language mainā which itself is derived from Sanskrit madanā.[2][3]

Characteristics

Mynas are medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit.

Plumage is typically dark, often brown, although some species have yellow head ornaments. Most species nest in holes.

Some species have become well known for their imitative skills; the common hill myna is one of these.

Species

The following are species of mynas. The coleto and the two Saroglossa starlings are included because of their position in the taxonomic list.

Jungle and hill mynas

"True" mynas

"Gracupica" mynas

The following species are often included in the Acridotheres mynas:

References

  1. ^ Zuccon et al. 2006.
  2. ^ "myna". Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged (11th ed.). Retrieved November 22, 2012 – via CollinsDictionary.com.
  3. ^ "myna". New Oxford American Dictionary.

Sources

  • Zuccon, Dario; Cibois, Alice; Pasquet, Eric; Ericson, Per G. P. (2006). "Nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data reveal the major lineages of starlings, mynas and related taxa". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 41 (2): 333–344.
    PMID 16806992
    .

External links

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