Animalia Life
Basilornis galeatus
SUBFAMILY
Sturninae
TAXONOMY
Basilornis galeatus Meyer, 1894.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Greater crested myna, greater myna, crested myna,
Sula myna, king myna, greater king starling, Sula starling;
French: Basilorne huppй; German: Helmatzel; Spanish; Estornino
Real Grande.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
9.4–9.8 in (24–25 cm). Sexes similar; a slightly iridescent black
bird with pale yellow bill, large white and buff patches on the
side of the neck and breast, and feathers of forehead, crown,
and nape pointed inward with central ones longer to form a
distinct iridescent purple-black crest. Juveniles have a shorter,
duller crest, a brown chin, and a dark upper bill.
DISTRIBUTION
Banggai east of Sulawesi and the adjacent Sula Islands in the
Moluccas.
HABITAT
Favors undisturbed forest; also found in disturbed and cultivated
areas and in mangroves.
BEHAVIOR
Usually found in pairs, but also flocks; frequents tall trees.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Only known to take fruit and berries from canopy to midlevels
of trees.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
No information.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Near Threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
Photo Gallery of - Helmeted myna
