The myna or mynah is a passerine bird of the starling family (Sturnidae), native to southern Asia, but introduced to North America, Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand.
____________
Note: Passerine birds comprise more than half of all bird species. A notable feature of passerines is the arrangement of their toes (three pointing forward and one back) which facilitates perching. Passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders, with over 5,000 identified species — twice as many species as the largest of the mammal orders, the Rodentia.
____________
Mynas are medium-sized passerines with strong feet and typically dark, often brown, plumage. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Most species nest in holes. The Common Myna is often regarded as an invasive species.
Some mynas talk, and are able to reproduce sounds, including human speech, when in captivity.
Below is a video of a remarkable talking myna named Kaleo, who was rescued when only 3 days old.
H/t FOTM’s CSM
~Eowyn
