Myna Birds: Urban Tricksters with a Gift for Mimicry

Introduction

What do we do when wildlife moves beyond just observing us and begins to imitate our behaviors? In cities across Asia, Africa, and Australia, the Myna bird (also spelled mynah) is flourishing. They mimic our voices and nest in the infrastructure we create. You might catch one calling your name or replicating your ringtone. And no, it's not a coincidence.

Originally found in open woodlands and village edges, Mynas have followed humans into our cities. To some, they are mimics or messengers; to others, they are invaders. They forage through our trash and copy our noises. They're not just fearless; they're also strategic. In this article, we'll explore the Myna's origins, biology, and why it talks. We also cover what makes them a conservation nightmare. Because behind the noise and mimicry lies a serious question: When a bird starts copying us, what is it really saying?

Photo by Rajesh S Balouria on Pexels

What Is a Myna Bird? Taxonomy, Species, and Origins

The Myna is not a single bird, but a clever branch of the starling family, Sturnidae. These birds are known for their intelligence, boldness, and songs. Two species stand out: the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and the Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa).

Its name, Myna, is derived from the Sanskrit word madanā, which means joyful and delightful. Even its scientific name translates to Acridotheres, or "grasshopper hunter." Subspecies like A. t. melanosternus in Sri Lanka indicate just how far and wide the song of this bird has traveled.

What Do Mynas Look Like?

Myna birds don't just show up; they show up in style. The Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) is about 23 to 26 centimetres tall, with a 40-centimetre wingspan. It weighs between 110 and 140 grams. It has a dark brown body, a jet black head and neck, and a yellow eye patch. The white markings on its wings flash rapidly when in flight. They look like turn signals as it navigates through trees, wires, and rooftops.

Then there is the Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa), which is slightly heavier. They measure at 26 to 30 centimetres in length, often weighing 200 grams or more. This forest-haunting cousin is attired in a sleek black coat. It shimmers with hues of purple or green, depending on the light. Its stout, orange, slightly curved bill is chunky and perfect for clutching fruit and bugs. Most striking are the yellow-orange wattles that hang from the back of its head.

Both bird species have short tails, broad wings, and sturdy yellow legs, making them swift runners and adept climbers. Their stance and attitude are equally noteworthy. A Myna tilts its head to investigate. It puffs out its chest to assert dominance. It struts like it owns the sidewalk. These birds do not just survive in cities; they dress and behave as if they truly belong there.

Left Hill Myna: Photo by Ramlee Ibrahim on Unsplash

Right Common Myna: By Richard Taylor, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Where Do Myna Birds Live?

Mynas originally inhabited open woodland and the edges of farms across South Asia and Southeast Asia. They made their homes in tree holes, foraged on the open ground, and coexisted with humans in villages. But as natural undergrowth was replaced by asphalt, they adapted rather than disappeared. Today, Mynas can be found on rooftops, car parks, railway stations, and even shopping malls.

They have become a global species. They roost on market wires in New Delhi and perch on neon mall signs in Dubai. Australia calls them "the cane toads of the sky," with as many as 75 birds per square kilometer. They've overrun farmland and invaded natural reserves on islands like Fiji and Mauritius.

The Myna's bold, loud, and curious nature makes them successful in urban environments. They breed in drainpipes, gutters, streetlights, and even shattered concrete. Other birds flee from urban chaos, but the Myna treats it like an opportunity.

What's on the Menu for a Myna?

For the Myna bird, eating serves as more than just a means of sustenance; it's a masterclass in adaptability. These birds are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they'll eat just about anything they can peck, grab, or scavenge. In the wild, Mynas eat a variety of foods, including insects, snails, earthworms, fruits, seeds, and even tiny reptiles. They particularly enjoy invertebrate-rich soil after rainfall, hopping through fields with practiced ease.

However, their diet changes significantly in an urban environment. You can often see them hopping under café tables or raiding dustbins. They pluck discarded rice or roti from gutters, and even steal food from open kitchens and hospital wards. They use their strong beaks and keen eyesight to identify useful scraps from afar.

This diet gives them an enormous advantage in invaded ecosystems. By being able to avoid food limitation, they thrive in degraded environments where more selective native birds cannot survive. They compete directly with nectar feeders, fruit specialists, and insectivores, often displacing them in the process. Even more concerning, their scavenging exposes them to pathogens, which they can spread across species through their droppings and roosting.

How Do Mynas Breed?

Mynas are devoted parents who typically form lifelong monogamous pairs. They engage in shared activities, such as courtship, nesting, and raising their chick. They prefer nesting in enclosed spaces, which can range from tree hollows to rooftop spaces, drain pipes, traffic light enclosures, and even openings in AC units. Their nests are messy yet cleverly constructed, using materials like twigs, paper, feathers, plastic, and wire.

The female lays a clutch of 4 to 6 smooth, light blue eggs. The incubation period lasts about 13 to 17 days, with the two parents taking turns sitting on the eggs. The chicks that hatch are altricial, meaning that they are blind, naked, and completely helpless. The parents feed them constantly with a diet consisting of insects, worms, grains, and kitchen scraps.

The chicks fledge between 22 and 27 days after hatching. They often remain nearby, begging for food and learning to forage on their own. In urban areas, survival rates for Myna are high due to the absence of predators and an abundance of human trash to feed on. However, competition for resources can be intense. Mynas will displace other birds from potential nesting sites, sometimes even evicting eggs or chicks.

Talkative Tricksters: The Science of Myna Mimicry

Mynas are not only talented mimics. They can be seen as acoustic chameleons, blending into human environments. The Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa), in particular, is well-known for its clear and distinct vocalizations. They can mimic everything from microwave beeps and barking dogs to ringtone melodies and even full human sentences.

So, what makes them good at mimicry? It begins with their biology. Mynas have an extremely flexible syrinx. This is the muscular voice box located deep in the chest where the trachea splits. Unlike humans, who use vocal cords, birds use sensitive membranes to manipulate sound. The syrinx in the Myna is controlled by sophisticated muscles that allow for separate control over each side. This control enables them to layer or blend two sounds simultaneously.

However, muscle flexibility is not enough. The brain also plays a crucial role. Structures like the HVC and RA zones linked to auditory memory and vocal control are hyperactive in mimics. Young mynas also have a learning phase, during which they imprint on the sound they frequently hear.

Importantly, mimicry is context-specific. Mynas reproduce sounds that are linked to their social or environmental situation. For instance, a Myna near a school will mimic the bell ringing at appropriate times.

When a Guest Becomes a Pest

Brought in with the best of intentions, the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) is now a global pest. Imported into countries like Australia, South Africa, and Fiji to manage farm pests or give the aviary business a lift, it quickly broke free of its enclosures. It now thrives in at least 40 countries, from urban centers to remote islands, surpassing most birds in adaptability.

Its inclusion as one of the IUCN's "100 Worst Invasive Alien Species" is well-deserved. In cities, Mynas clog vents, damage infrastructure, and occupy nesting hollows. Their territorial aggression includes dive-bombing rivals and harassing native species to monopolize food sources.

In Australia, the "Indian Myna Menace" has spurred municipal action, including trapping programs and citizen monitoring efforts. On islands like Mauritius, their spread has been tied to the decline of the echo parakeet, one of the world's most threatened parrots. In Fiji, they've invaded seabird colonies and even attacked hatchlings.

The impact of Mynas extends beyond just birds. They also affect pollinators, spread invasive plants by seed dispersal, and are carriers of diseases that impact native wildlife.

Image Source:

1. Common Myna in urban-Photo by Etapatra Aranyani on Unsplash
2. Mynas in flight-By Anai171, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. 
3. Mynas occupying nesting hollows-By  Kesavamurthy N, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
4. Nesting in a shop awning-By Sardaka, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Conservation and Ethical Problems

The Myna conservation story is full of contradictions. In their home range, South and Southeast Asia, several species, like the Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa), are threatened. Habitat loss, poaching for the pet trade, and reduced nesting sites have caused local populations to decline.

However, the story changes outside their native lands. Mynas have now become urban survivors. Their negative impact can't be ignored: they drive native birds out of their nests, damage crops, and even take over nest holes.

Control measures for Mynas are often controversial. Techniques such as trapping, egg destruction, sterilization, and culling have all been tried with mixed results. The moral implications are significant. Should these intelligent and socially complex creatures be relegated to the status of mere pests?

More recent approaches promote cohabitation and smarter management. For example, innovative solutions like smart bird feeders equipped with monitoring technology enable city dwellers and conservationists to observe Myna populations in real time, helping reduce conflicts by encouraging responsible feeding and habitat sharing.

Combined with population mapping tools, these technologies offer less invasive, more ethical ways to live alongside Mynas. As urbanization continues, managing species like the Myna requires both ecological awareness and ethical consideration.

Photo by Martin David on Unsplash

Conclusion

Mynas do not merely coexist with us; they are part of our urban experience. We hear our alarms, laughter, and words echoed back at us like audio graffiti. They live on our trash, roost on our billboards, and reflect the noise of our daily lives. Their cleverness is more than a party trick; it's an evolutionary adaptation honed by their proximity to humans. So, when a Myna mimics your ringtone or snatches food from off your doorstep, pause for a moment. Are they truly invading our territory, or simply surviving in the environment we've made? Either way, they're not going anywhere.

Photo by Muhammed Faizan Hussain on Unsplash

FAQs about the Myna Birds

Do Mynas truly speak like human beings?

Yes. Especially the Hill Myna. Their imitation of human speech is so accurate that they can repeat entire sentences with precise tone. This ability is due to their syrinx and highly developed brain structures for vocal learning.

How is a Common Myna distinct from a Hill Myna?

The Common Myna is brown, bold, and often found in urban areas. They are known for their loud calls and yellow patches. In contrast, the Hill Myna has a glossy black appearance with wattles and prefers forest edges. Its ability to mimic sounds is sharp and often clearer than that of a parrot. While both are clever, the Hill Myna is the actual vocal master.

Are Mynas considered pests worldwide?

No, Mynas are native to their natural environment. However, in places like Fiji and Australia, they're seen as invasive species. In this region, they displace native birds, roost in buildings, and pose a threat to biodiversity.

Can Mynas be kept as pets?

Yes, in certain countries. But due to their intelligence and invasiveness, they're banned or regulated in other countries. Even when permitted, they require social interaction, adequate space, and mental stimulation to thrive.

How long do Mynas live?

In the wild, Mynas typically live about 4–8 years. In captivity, with proper care, they can live more than a decade.