The Indian pied myna (''Gracupica contra'') is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
starling
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. The Sturnidae are named for the genus '' Sturnus'', which in turn comes from the Latin word for starling, ''sturnus''. Many Asian species, particularly the larger ones, ...
found in the
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...
. It is usually found in small groups mainly on the plains and low foothills. It is often seen within cities and villages although it is not as bold as the
common myna. It produces a range of calls made up of liquid notes.
Taxonomy
The Indian pied myna was
formally described by the Swedish naturalist
Carl Linnaeus
Carl Linnaeus (; 23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after his Nobility#Ennoblement, ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné#Blunt, Blunt (2004), p. 171. (), was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, taxonomist, and physician who formalise ...
in 1758 in the
tenth edition of his ''
Systema Naturae'' under the
binomial name ''Sturnus contra''.
Linnaeus based his description on the "Contra, from Bengall" that had been described and illustrated in 1738 by
Eleazar Albin
Eleazar Albin (fl. 1690 – c. 1742)Michael A. Salmon, Peter Marren, Basil Harley. ''The Aurelian Legacy'' (University of California Press, 2000) pp. 109-110. was an English naturalist and watercolourist illustrator who wrote and illustrat ...
and the "Black and White Indian Starling" that had been described and illustrated in 1751 by
George Edwards.
Albin believed that "contra" was the Bengali
Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to:
*something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia
* Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region
* Bengali language, the language they speak
** Bengali alphabet, the w ...
word for this species, but this name was not known in the 19th century.[ Linnaeus specified the type locality as India but this was restricted to Calcutta by the British ornithologist E. C. Stuart Baker in 1921. In the past the Indian pied myna has been included in the genera '']Sturnus
''Sturnus'' is a genus of starlings. As discussed below, the taxonomy of this group is complex, and other authorities differ considerably in which species they place in this genus, and in the species boundaries within ''Sturnus''. The genus name ...
'' and ''Sturnopastor'' but based on results from molecular phylogenetic analysis it is now placed in the resurrected genus ''Gracupica
''Gracupica'' is a genus of Asian birds in the family Sturnidae. It is sometimes merged with '' Sturnus'' or ''Sturnia.''
Taxonomy
The genus ''Gracupica'' was introduced in 1831 by the French naturalist René Lesson to accommodate the black-col ...
'' that had been introduced in 1831 by the French naturalist René Lesson.
Two subspecies are recognised:[
* ''G. c. contra'' (]Linnaeus
Carl Linnaeus (; 23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after his ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné Blunt (2004), p. 171. (), was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, taxonomist, and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the ...
, 1758) – east Pakistan, north, central, India, south Nepal and Bangladesh (includes ''sordida'')
* ''G. c. superciliaris'' ( Blyth, 1863) – Manipur (northeast India), north, central, southeast Myanmar and southwest China
It is found mainly along the Gangetic plains extending south into Andhra Pradesh and east to Bangladesh. The population in northeastern India (Sadiya to Tirap and the Naga Hills) was named as ''sordida'' (originally ''Sturnus contra sordidus'') by Sidney Dillon Ripley in 1950. This form differs from the Indian form in having reduced streaking on the shoulders and nape. The populations in Manipur south to Myanmar and east to Yunnan have the white extending over the eye and are included in the subspecies ''superciliaris'' first described by Edward Blyth in 1863.
A 2021 study found that ''G. contra'' represents a species complex
In biology, a species complex is a group of closely related organisms that are so similar in appearance and other features that the boundaries between them are often unclear. The taxa in the complex may be able to hybridize readily with each oth ...
of 3 distinct species: the Indian pied myna (''G. contra sensu stricto'') from most of the Indian Subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...
, Myanmar
Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John Wells explai ...
, and Yunnan
Yunnan , () is a landlocked province in the southwest of the People's Republic of China. The province spans approximately and has a population of 48.3 million (as of 2018). The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders the C ...
in China, with subspecies ''sordida'' and ''superciliaris''; the monotypic Siamese pied myna (''G. floweri'') from Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is b ...
and Cambodia
Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailan ...
, and the monotypic possibly extinct in the wild Javan pied myna(''G. jalla''), historically known from Java
Java (; id, Jawa, ; jv, ꦗꦮ; su, ) is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea to the north. With a population of 151.6 million people, Java is the world's mos ...
and Bali in Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
. ''G. jalla'' was likely driven to extinction in the wild due to the illegal songbird trade becoming increasingly pervasive in Indonesia, and in captivity it is likely threatened by hybridization with captured individuals of mainland pied myna species. It has been recommended to search for genetically pure members of the species in the wildlife trade for the purpose of captive breeding; a potential captive population of pure ''G. jalla'' exists at Bali Bird Park.
![Asian Pied Starling (Pied Myna)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Asian_Pied_Starling_%28Pied_Myna%29.jpg)
Description
This myna is strikingly marked in black and white and has a yellowish bill with a reddish bill base. The bare skin around the eye is reddish. The upper body, throat and breast are black while the cheek, lores, wing coverts and rump are contrastingly white. The sexes are similar in plumage but young birds have dark brown in place of black. The subspecies vary slightly in plumage, extent of streaking of the feathers and in measurements.
The flight is slow and butterfly-like on round wings.
Leucistic
Leucism () is a wide variety of conditions that result in the partial loss of pigmentation in an animal—causing white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales, or cuticles, but not the eyes. It is occasionally spelled ...
individuals have been recorded.
Distribution and habitat
The species is found mainly in the plains but in the foothills up to about 700m above sea level. They are found mainly in areas with access to open water. Their main distribution in India is from the Gangetic plains extending south to the Krishna River. Their range is increasing, with populations establishing more recently in Pakistan,[ Rajkot, and Bombay (since 1953), possibly aided by trade in caged birds and accidental escape. Their westerward spread in India particularly in parts of Rajasthan has been aided by changes in irrigation and farming patterns.][ The species has also established itself in Dubai, UAE.]
The habitat is lowland open areas with scattered trees near water, often near human habitation. This species is often seen at sewage farms and refuse tips.[
]
Behaviour
These starlings are usually found in small groups, foraging mainly on the ground but perching on trees and buildings. Birds in a group call frequently with a wide repertoire that includes whistles, trills, buzzes, clicks, and warbling calls. Young birds taken into captivity have been trained to imitate tunes of other birds.
Both sexes sing.[ They forage in fields, lawns and on open ground feeding on grains, fruit, insects, earthworms and molluscs usually taken from the ground. Like many other starlings, they often use a prying or gaping action, piercing soil and then opening apart the bill to dislodge hidden food. The strong protractor muscles allow them to part a mat of grass and their eyes are positioned to obtain a binocular view of the space between the parted beak. They often feed in grazing land or among cattle.][
The breeding season in India is spread from March to September. With the onset of breeding, the sizes of flocks decline and birds pair up. Courtship involves calling, fluffing of the feathers and head bobbing. The nest is a loose mass of straw formed into a dome with an entrance on the side and placed in a large tree (often banyan, mango, jackfruit, rosewood) or sometimes on man-made structures, often close to human habitation. Several pairs will breed in the same vicinity. The usual clutch is made up of about four to six glossy blue eggs. Each egg is laid with a day in between and incubation begins only after the third or fourth egg is laid. The eggs hatch after 14 to 15 days. The young are brooded for two weeks, the female staying at the nest during the night. Both parents feed the chicks until they fledge and leave after three weeks. More than one brood may be raised in a season.]
An instance of interspecific feeding
Interspecific feeding refers to behaviour reported in wild animals, particularly birds where adults of one species feed the young of another species. This usually excludes the case of birds feeding brood parasites. The behaviour has been of theoret ...
, where an adult of a common myna fed a young Indian pied myna has been reported.
These mynas form communal roosts at night and jointly defend nesting areas.[
]![Asian Pied Starling (Pied Myna) near Chandigarh](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Asian_Pied_Starling_%28Pied_Myna%29_near_Chandigarh.jpg)
In culture
The ability of these mynas to mimic human voices made them popular as cagebirds. The Sema Nagas will not eat this bird as they believe it is the reincarnation of a human. They are considered to be generally beneficial because they eat many insects.[
]
References
Other sources
*Ray, D (1972) Pied Myna ''Sturnus contra'' in Delhi. ''Newsletter for Birdwatchers
''Newsletter for Birdwatchers'' is an Indian periodical of ornithology and birdwatching founded in 1960 by Zafar Futehally, who edited it until 2003. It was initially mimeographed and distributed to a small number of subscribers each month. It is ...
''. 12(10):11.
*Narang, ML; Lamba, BS (1976) On the feeding-time and feeding-area preference of Indian Pied Myna, ''Sturnus contra'' Linn. Newsl. Zool. Surv. India 2(3), 83–86.
*Gupta, AP (1982) About the distribution of birds. ''Newsletter for Birdwatchers
''Newsletter for Birdwatchers'' is an Indian periodical of ornithology and birdwatching founded in 1960 by Zafar Futehally, who edited it until 2003. It was initially mimeographed and distributed to a small number of subscribers each month. It is ...
''. 22(2):10
*Saini, Harjeet K; Chawla, Geeta; Dhindsa, Manjit S (1995): Food of Pied Myna ''Sturnus contra'' in the agroecosystem of Punjab. Pavo 33(1&2):47–62.
*Chawla, G (1993) Ecological studies on the Pied Myna (''Sturnus contra'') in an intensively cultivated area. M.Sc. Thesis, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
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External links
Images and videos
{{Taxonbar, from=Q27075597
Indian pied myna
The Indian pied myna (''Gracupica contra'') is a species of starling found in the Indian subcontinent. It is usually found in small groups mainly on the plains and low foothills. It is often seen within cities and villages although it is not as b ...
Indian pied myna
The Indian pied myna (''Gracupica contra'') is a species of starling found in the Indian subcontinent. It is usually found in small groups mainly on the plains and low foothills. It is often seen within cities and villages although it is not as b ...
Birds of Bangladesh
Birds of India
Indian pied myna
The Indian pied myna (''Gracupica contra'') is a species of starling found in the Indian subcontinent. It is usually found in small groups mainly on the plains and low foothills. It is often seen within cities and villages although it is not as b ...
Indian pied myna
The Indian pied myna (''Gracupica contra'') is a species of starling found in the Indian subcontinent. It is usually found in small groups mainly on the plains and low foothills. It is often seen within cities and villages although it is not as b ...