Crested Myna
Acridotheres cristatellus

At a Glance

Native to southern Asia, the Crested Myna was introduced at Vancouver, British Columbia, in the 1890s. It prospered for many years, with the population building up into the thousands, but it never spread far beyond the Vancouver area. Numbers began declining by the middle of the 20th century, and the Vancouver population seems to have disappeared.
Category
Perching Birds, Starlings and Mynas
Conservation
Low Concern
Habitat
Urban and Suburban Habitats
Region
Western Canada
Behavior
Direct Flight

Range & Identification

Description

10 1/2" (27 cm). Chunky and black, with short bristly crest on forehead, white wing patch. Yellow bill and legs, pale eyes. V
Size
About the size of a Crow, About the size of a Robin
Color
Black, White, Yellow
Wing Shape
Rounded
Tail Shape
Rounded, Square-tipped

Songs and Calls

Song a variety of rich or harsh phrases with much repetition. An excellent mimic.
Call Pattern
Falling, Flat, Rising
Call Type
Chirp/Chip, Rattle, Scream, Whistle