Sri Lanka Myna

Sri Lanka Myna
Sri Lanka Myna
An adult and an immature bird
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Gracula
Species: G. ptilogenys
Binomial name
Gracula ptilogenys
Blyth, 1846

The Sri Lanka Myna, Ceylon Myna or Sri Lanka Hill Myna (Gracula ptilogenys), is a myna, a member of the starling family. This bird is endemic to Sri Lanka.

This passerine is typically found in forest and cultivation. The Sri Lanka Myna builds a nest in a hole. The normal clutch is two eggs.

These 25 cm long birds have green-glossed black plumage, purple-tinged on the head and neck. There are large white wing patches, which are obvious in flight. The strong legs are bright yellow, and there are yellow wattles on the nape.

The different shape and position of the wattles and the stouter orange-red bill distinguish this species from the Southern Hill Myna, which also occurs in Sri Lankan forests. The sexes are similar, but juveniles have a duller bill.

Like most starlings, the Sri Lanka Myna is fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects.

In Culture

In Sri Lanka, this bird is known in many names including Sela lihiniya, Mal kawadiya, Kampatiya in Sinhala Language.[1] The name Sela Lihiniya is often mentioned in poems and other similar literature and is quoted for its melodious calls. This bird appears in a 10 rupee Sri Lankan postal stamp.[2]

References

  1. ^ Anonymous (1998). "Vernacular Names of the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent" (PDF). Buceros 3 (1): 53–109. http://www.bnhsenvis.nic.in/pdf/vol%203%20(1).pdf. 
  2. ^ http://www.birdtheme.org/country/srilanka.html

External links


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