25-10-2016 SINGAPORE - JAVAN MYNA (Acridotheres javanicus)

The Javan myna (Acridotheres javanicus ), also known as the white-vented myna, is a species of myna. It is a member of the starling family. It is native to Bali and Java. It has been introduced to other Asian countries, and as far away as Puerto Rico.

The Javan myna is mainly black. The wings are brownish-black, and the primaries have white bases. The undertail-coverts are white. There is a short crest on the forehead.Its beak, legs and feet are yellow. The eyes are lemon-yellow. The immature is browner. Its length is 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 in). Its weight is about 100 g (3.5 oz).

The Javan myna is native to Bali and Java, and has been introduced to southeastern Thailand, southern Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, the Lesser Sundas, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Japan and Nepal. It is found in cities and cultivated areas.

The Javan myna is omnivorous and eats seeds, fruit, nectar, insects and human waste. It is often found in large groups. Its voice is similar to that of the common myna. It builds its nest in holes. The eggs are bluish-glaucous. Javan mynas are bold and not very afraid of humans. Javan mynas are kept in cages in Malaysia and Indonesia. The birds scavenge in groups, minimum two but usually three or more, with all except one feeding and one usually at a vantage point keeping a look out. If the bird that is keeping watch sees anything that might pose a threat, it alarms the group members with a high pitch tweet and they all flee the area swiftly.

he Javan Myna is often confused with other Myna species, mostly due to the inconsistent usage of the common names associated with the Acridotheres genus of ‘crested’ mynas. The Javan Myna, Great Myna (Acridotheres grandis) and Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellius) have all been referred to as the Crested Myna. Similarly the Javan Myna and Pale-bellied Myna (Acridotheres cinereus) have all been referred to as White-vented Myna, which is particularly confusing since most Acridotheres genus Mynas have white vents.

The adult Javan Myna is a medium sized bird measuring 24 to 25 cm in length. The head, crown and nape are black. The forehead feathers can be raised to form a short crest, although this is usually kept close to the cap. The mantle, back and rump are ashy black, whilst the chin, flanks and belly are slate grey, appearing slightly paler than the upper parts. The flight feathers are sooty black with a white wing patch. It has a white vent and the tail is black with a clean white underside. The bill is bright yellow with a small black patch at the lateral base of the lower mandible. The legs and feet are orange-yellow with slate-grey leg feathers. The eye has a thick yellow eye ring with a lemon-yellow iris. During flight two distinctive white patches can be seen on the underside of the wings.

There is no sexual dimorphism in adult birds.

Juvenile birds appear browner and have a very short brown frontal crest. The underparts are paler with a, sometimes, streaky appearance. Juvenile birds have white under tails similar to adults.