Southern Hill Myna

The Southern hill myna, Gracula indica, is a glossy black bird adorned with distinctive white wing patches and bright yellow wattles on its head. Its plumage gleams in the sunlight, while its legs are a striking yellow and its beak transitions from a vivid orange at the base to a yellow tip. This bird typically spans about twenty centimeters in length and can enjoy a lifespan ranging from 15 to 30 years.

Identification Tips

To identify the Southern hill myna, look for its shiny black feathers and the white spots on its primary remiges. The bird's yellow legs and the color gradient of its beak from orange to yellow are also key characteristics. The presence of yellow wattles on the head is a distinguishing feature of this species.

Habitat

The Southern hill myna makes its home in the forested regions of south India and Sri Lanka. It thrives in a variety of environments including tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, mountainous areas, mangrove forests, and even plantation landscapes.

Distribution

This species is endemic to southwestern India and Sri Lanka, where it is a resident bird, meaning it does not typically migrate.

Behaviour

In the wild, the Southern hill myna is a sociable creature, often seen in flocks that communicate through an array of vocalizations. These groups, usually comprising about half a dozen individuals, are found high in the forest canopy, particularly at the forest's edge. The myna exhibits a unique sideways hopping behavior as it moves along branches.

Song & calls

The Southern hill myna is celebrated for its melodious voice, capable of producing a variety of croaks and calls. Renowned for its mimicry skills, it can imitate human sounds and voices with remarkable accuracy, often surpassing parrots in this talent. However, it is noted that this species may not be as vocally adept as the common hill myna.

Breeding

When it comes to reproduction, the Southern hill myna builds its nest within tree cavities. A typical clutch consists of two or three eggs. It is worth noting that there is no sexual dimorphism in this species, as males and females are visually similar.

Conservation status

Despite a declining population trend, the Southern hill myna is currently classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating that it is not at immediate risk of extinction.