Bank Myna

The Bank Myna, Acridotheres ginginianus, is a bird native to South Asia, notably smaller than its cousin, the common myna. It sports a black crown and sides on its head, with slaty grey upper plumage. The underside is a lighter grey, transitioning to pale pink at the abdomen's center. A distinctive wing patch at the base of the primaries and pale pinkish buff at the outer tail feather tips are notable. The area behind the eye is a striking brick red, and the legs are yellow, complementing the deep red iris. Both sexes appear similar, making field identification challenging. Juveniles can be identified by their browner head and neck.

Identification Tips

Look for the green gloss on some wing feathers, the brick-red naked skin behind the eyes, and the slight tuft of feathers, which may remind one of the jungle myna. The wing patch and the tips of the outer tail feathers are also key identification features.

Habitat

The Bank Myna thrives in the plains of northern and central India, often within towns and cities. It prefers the vicinity of open water and is commonly found in cultivated farmland and open country.

Distribution

This species is predominantly found from the Indus valley to the Gangetic delta and south of the lower Himalayan foothills. It has been observed extending its range southwards and is also common in Pakistan's Sind and Punjab districts. The Bank Myna has been introduced to Kuwait and sighted in the Maldives, Taiwan, and Japan.

Behaviour

Bank Mynas are social creatures, foraging, breeding, and roosting in flocks. They are known to perch on livestock and are comfortable in human-populated areas, often seen scavenging in markets and dumps. Their calls are varied, including clucks, croaks, screeches, whistles, and warbles.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Bank Myna is diverse, with a symphony of clucks, croaks, screeches, whistles, and melodious warbling elements.

Breeding

Breeding season spans from April to July or August, with most nesting in May and June. Nests are built within earth walls, riverbanks, embankments, or open wells, sometimes utilizing holes in brick walls. The nest chamber can be several feet from the entrance, lined with grass, feathers, and occasionally snake sloughs. Clutches typically contain four to five pale sky blue or greenish-blue eggs, with the possibility of two broods per season. Eggs hatch after about 13 to 14 days, and fledglings leave the nest after roughly 21 days.

Diet and Feeding

The Bank Myna's diet includes grain, insects, and fruits. They are known to follow grazing animals to pick up insects and ticks and feed on ripening crops such as sorghum, grapes, and pearl millet. They also consume various insects, some of which are crop pests.

Conservation status

The Bank Myna is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival.