12 Species of Myna and Starling Found in India

Starling and Myna birds are belong with same family of Sturnidae, Some of these birds are native to Asia and few species have been introduced to other parts of the world. Starling birds are medium sized passerines and inhabit a wide range of habitats, Here is the list of most beautiful species of Starling found in India.

Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Common starling bird is not so common in India, mainly found in the north and is a noisy bird, especially from starling family. The species also known as European starling and is a highly gregarious species.

Brahminy Starling/Brahminy Myna (Sturnia pagodarum)

Brahminy Starling is the most common starling bird found in India, usually seen in pairs on the plains of the Indian subcontinent. The pale creamy with a black cap starling is omnivorous, nest in tree holes and breed during the March to September season.

Rosy Starling (Pastor roseus)

Rosy starling species is a strong migratory bird that spend winters in India and tropical Asia. The highly distinctive bird with pink body, pale orange legs and black head is a regular winter visitor in of India, also known for their breathtaking aero display during the evening.

Chestnut Tailed Starling

Chestnut tailed starling species is a partially migratory bird of India, A winter visitor to peninsular India and a different species from the Malabar starling. The chestnut starling is also omnivorous like most starlings birds and fly in tight flocks.

White-headed Starling/ Andaman white-headed starling

White Headed Starling species is also known as the Andaman white headed starling bird, found in wooded habitats of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The white plumage bird is another lesser known species of starling in India from the Sturnidae family.

Malabar Starling (Sturnia blythii)

Malabar starling bird only found in southwest of Indian states and very much simillar to Chestnut-tailed starling. The Malabar species is separate from chestnut tailed starling and a beautiful brightly colored bird of the western ghats.

Common Myna/ Indian myna (Acridotheres tristis)

The common myna is known as Indian myna, is the most invasive species in the world and extremely adapted to urban environments in India. The myna bird species is very common, typically found in woodland, urban and suburban environments.

Pied Myna/ Asian pied starling (Gracupica contra)

Pied myna is another most common species of starling found in the Indian subcontinent, usually found within cities and villages. These starling species has ability to mimic human voices and the breeding season in India starts from March to September.

Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)

Common hill myna or simply known as hill myna is a member of the starling family, has seven subspecies differ slightly in appearance.

The Bastar hill mynah is the state bird of Chhattisgarh and a resident breeder of India, However Southern hill myna is another species and a resident of southwest India.

Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus)

Jungle myna bird from the starling family is closely related Javan myna and the pale-bellied myna, found across much of the Indian Subcontinent. The pale yellow or blue colored eyes jungle myna with orange-yellow bill and grey plumage is a common resident breeder of India.

Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus)

Bank myna bird is mostly found in northern parts of India and South Asia, very much similar in colouration to the common myna. The black head and orange beak myna bird also been introduced to Kuwait and Maldives.

Great Myna/ White-vented Myna (Acridotheres grandis)

Great Myna is a lesser known species of Indian Myna bird, only found in Northeast India. The white-vented myna is larger than other species of mynas and a very beautiful bird from the starling family, few more species of starling bird found in India also include Chestnut winged starling, Collared myna and golden crested myna.