The White-vented Mynas (Acridotheres grandis) – also known as Crested Mynas, Great Mynas, Orange-billed Jungle Mynas, Thai Crested Mynas or Tufted Mynas – are Asian starlings.
Distribution / Habitat
White-vented Mynas occur naturally in North-east India (southern Assam, Nagaland and Manipur) and southeastern Bangladesh east to Myanmar and southern China (western and southern Yunnan, as well as southwestern Guangxi), south to northern peninsular Thailand and Indochina.
They are usually seen in pairs or small groups.
Description
White-vented Mynas measure about 10.5 inches (26 cm) in length – including the tail. The plumage is black. They have tall wispy crests that measure about 1.2 inches (30 mm) over the bill in males and 0.8 inches (20 mm) in females.
The eyes are amber brown and the bill and legs are bright yellow.
Diet / Feeding
Feed on insects and other small invertebrates.
Breeding / Nesting
These cavity nesters will usually make their nests in the cavity of trees, but also readily take advantage of holes and crevices in rocks or urban structures, including walls.
Calls / Vocalizations / Sounds
Calls are described as garrulous notes and whistles.
Alternate (Global) Names
Chinese: ??? … Czech: Majna velká … Danish: Stor Maina … Dutch: Grote Maina … Finnish: Töyhtömaina … French: Grand Mainate, Grand Martin, Mainate à ventre blanc … German: Langschopfmaina … Indonesian: Jalak ungu … Italian: Maina culbianco, Maina grossa … Japanese: Oh-hakka, oohakka … Norwegian: Engstær, Stor beostær, Stor hyrdestær … Polish: majna zalobna, Majna ?a?obna … Russian: ??????? ????? … Slovak: škorec smútocný, škorec smúto?ný … Spanish: Mainá Grande, Miná Grande … Swedish: Större tofsmajna …
