SCIENTIFIC NAME: Gracula religiosa

The hill mynah or myna is known for its ability to mimic sounds. This glossy black bird with an orange bill and yellow wattles beneath the eyes and on the back of the head is in the starling family. Starlings are perching birds that number more than 111 species, including the mynah.

It’s a gregarious bird and usually lives in a large group high in the treetops, usually at elevations around 6,500 ft. It rarely descends to the ground, but when it does, it feeds on fruit bushes. The mynah will gather in the treetops in groups of 5-10 during the day and spend their time alone, in pairs or small groups in the evening. Those in temperate areas migrate part of the winter, often in huge flocks, which can be quite noisy. The hill mynah will have the same partner for life and will share responsibility of raising the chicks. It will also breed in colonies, but each pair has its own territory around its nest.

The mynah is highly sociable and is a popular pet because it can be trained to mimic human speech. In captivity it can imitate singing and whistling more clearly and accurately than a parrot. The mynah has a range of up to 13 completely different sounds. It’s a protected bird and its numbers are now increasing.