Scientific Name of Common Myna

The Common myna, Acridotheres tristis, falls under the family Sturnidae, which includes starlings and other medium-sized passerine birds. The common myna has two identified subspecies. These are as follows:

• Indian Myna (Acridotheres tristis tristis)
• Sri Lankan myna (Acridotheres tristis melanosternus)

As the name suggests, Indian Myna is found in India, especially southern India. It is also found in eastern Iran, southern Kazakhstan, Malay peninsula and southern China. The Indian myna has a brown plumage, a black hooded head and bright yellow flashes behind its eye. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Myna is found in Sri Lanka and it varies from the Indian myna significantly – it is much darker; sometimes an almost black plumage. It has a bi-coloured bill and small white streaks on its wings. The average weight of males is 109 grams while females weigh between 120-138 grams. The average body length is around 9 inches.

This species is native to Asia, and it’s often considered as an invasive species (as per IUCN). In fact, it is listed as one of the most invasive species and poses a significant threat to agriculture and biodiversity. Moreover, Australia listed this species as a serious threat to its ecosystem, naming it “The Most Important Problem/ Pest”. Though it was native to Asia, it can now be found in other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, Israel, South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius and Kyrgyzstan. One of the reasons for its extremely widespread distribution is that it has adapted to thrive near urban and suburban areas.

The myna is an omnivore and an opportunistic feeder, feeding on seeds, fruits and grains. It also forages on the ground for insects, especially grasshoppers. Hence, it gets its generic name Acridotheres, which translates to “Grasshopper hunter”.

Also Read:

• Scientific Names of the Most Common Animals and Plants
• Class Aves-Characteristics And Classifications
• Mammalia – Characteristics and Classification Of Mammals
• Herbivorous & Carnivorous Animals – Characteristics & Examples

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