Javan myna

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.

Javan myna
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Sturnidae
Genus:	Acridotheres
Species:	A. javanicus
Binomial name
Acridotheres javanicus Cabanis, 1851

Taxonomy

The Javan myna is sometimes included in the great myna (Acridotheres grandis) or the jungle myna (A. fuscus). The International Ornithologists' Union recommends not using the name "white-vented myna" to avoid confusion with the pale-bellied myna A. cinereus.^[2]

Description

Javan myna in flight, showing the distinctive white wing and tail bars

The Javan myna is mainly black. The wings are brownish-black, and the primaries have white bases, displayed in flight as a striking white wing bar, along with a white tail bar. 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).^[3] Its weight is about 100 g (3.5 oz).^[4]

Javan mynas feeding on the streets of Singapore. Video clip

Habitat

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.^[4] It is found in cities and cultivated areas.^[3]

Behaviour

Javan mynas are bold and not very afraid of humans.^[3] Javan mynas are kept in cages in Malaysia and Indonesia.^[3]

Javan mynas are found in pairs and associate in larger groups. Its voice is similar to that of the common myna. It builds its nest in holes.

Javan mynas scavenge in groups of 2 to 4, 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.^{[citation needed]}

Diet

The Javan myna is omnivorous and eats seeds, fruit, nectar, insects and human waste.^[3]

Juveniles

The juvenile, or fledgling, period of a Javan myna lasts about 25 days.^[5]

Eggs

The eggs of a Javan myna are blue in colour and takes 13-14 days to hatch.^[6] After the chick hatches, the adult will remove the eggshells immediately and dispose them some distance away to avoid attracting predators^[7]