entry smap 234: common mynas

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis

the common myna's natural home is in Asia, these shots are from Rajasthan; India where it is truly common. they tend to roost together in huge numbers and they is one of the best adapted species for living in urban areas. at the same time they are aggressively territorial. it has spread many places around the world where it often considered highly invasive and a threat to native species, driving them away and taking over their habitats . that is sad but here the cities in Rajasthan would not be the same without them. in addition to scavenging they feed on insects and fruits.

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they are easy to identify with glossy black backs and brown underneath. the bright yellow to orange bill and patch behind the eye as well as the white markings on the wings during flight are reliable identification marks. they're not exactly songbirds and when in large groups can be exceptionally noisy