Animalia Life
Gracula religiosa
SUBFAMILY
Sturninae
TAXONOMY
Gracula religiosa Linnaeus, 1758. Seven races recognized.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Indian hill mynah, common grackle, grackle, talking
mynah; French: Mainate religieux; German: Beo, kleinbeo;
Spanish: Mainб del Himalaya.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
11.0–11.8 in (28–30 cm). Black with a heavy orange-yellow bill,
feet, and fleshy wattles below each eye and on the nape;
rounded black wings with a white stripe running midway
through the primaries.
DISTRIBUTION
Southern Asia; India east to southern China, Thailand,
Malaysia, and Indochina, through the Greater and Lesser
Sunda islands, east to Alor and Palawan in the Philippines.
Population on St. Helena may be introduced; introduced and
breeding on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, and in
Florida, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
HABITAT
Found in areas of lush vegetation and high rainfall, especially
at edges of lush forest, but also within dense forest, second
growth, and cultivated areas; most common at elevations of
900–6,000 ft (275–1,825 m).
BEHAVIOR
Very arboreal; hop rather than walk; very vocal.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Mainly frugivorous, but also opportunistic, taking nectar, insects,
other small animals. Focuses more on animal prey when
feeding young. Regurgitates seeds, thus facilitating seed dispersal.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Monogamous; breeding varies geographically from
January–July; nests in natural cavities and bird boxes; both
sexes aid in constructing a crude nest of small twigs, leaves,
and feathers. Clutch size two to three light blue to blue-green
eggs with brown to lavender spotting; incubation by both sexes
for 13–17 days; parental care by both adults; young fledge at
25–28 days; post-fledging care is minimal. May produce as
many as three broods per year in some areas.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. Listed on CITES Appendix II. Some concern
over excessive capture of birds for the pet trade.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Once commonly eaten, now a very popular cage bird because
of their ability to mimic the human voice. May be important
pollinators of forest trees.
Other popular Animals
Photo Gallery of - Hill myna
