General

Crested Myna: Medium-sized black starling with compact bushy crest on forehead, red eyes, prominent white wing patch, and white-tipped tail. Bill and legs are yellow. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has smaller crest, blue eyes, and brown cast to plumage.

Range and Habitat

Crested Myna: In North America found exclusively in urban environments around Vancouver, British Columbia.

Breeding and Nesting

Crested Myna: Nests in cavities and wherever possible in colonies. Nest consists of untidy mass of vegetation and debris that fills cavity. Lays four to seven glossy green blue eggs that both parents incubate for 14 days. Young fledge in 21 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Crested Myna: Feeds very actively on the ground in search of insects, stopping to probe soil and grass clumps and dashing after prey. Also eats fruit, grains, refuse, and the eggs and young of other birds.

Readily Eats

Suet, Commercial Mixed Bird Seed

Vocalization

Crested Myna: Extremely vocal, mimics other birds, and makes a tremendous variety of gurgles, whistles, grating or liquid notes.

Similar Species

Crested Myna: European Starling lacks crest and white wing patch, has dark eye and pink legs.