Sri Lanka hill myna
| Sri Lanka hill myna | |
|---|---|
| |
| Female above, male below | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Sturnidae |
| Genus: | Gracula |
| Species: | G. ptilogenys
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gracula ptilogenys Blyth,1846
| |
TheSri Lanka hill myna,Ceylon mynaorSri Lanka myna(Gracula ptilogenys) is amyna,a member of thestarlingfamily. ThisbirdisendemictoSri Lanka.
Thispasserineis typically found in forest and cultivation. The Sri Lanka myna builds a nest in a hole. The normal clutch is twoeggs.
These 25 cm long birds have green-glossed blackplumage,purple-tinged on the head and neck. There are large white wing patches, which are obvious in flight. The strong legs are bright yellow, and there are yellow wattles on the nape.
The different shape and position of the wattles and the stouter orange-red bill distinguish this species from thesouthern hill myna,which also occurs in Sri Lankan forests. The sexes are similar in plumage, but can be distinguished by iris color, which is pale in females and dark in males. Juveniles have a duller bill and smaller wattles, and are less glossy overall.
Like most starlings, the Sri Lanka myna is fairlyomnivorous,eatingfruit,nectarandinsects.
In culture
[edit]InSri Lanka,the Myna bird is known in many names includingSela lihiniya,Mal kawadiya,Kampatiyain theSinhala language.[2]The nameSela Lihiniyais often mentioned in poems and other similar literature and is quoted for its melodious calls. This bird appears in a 10rupeeSri Lankanpostal stamp.[3]It is also the media icon ofSri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.
References
[edit]- ^BirdLife International (2020)."Gracula ptilogenys".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2020:e.T22710988A181567926.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22710988A181567926.en.Retrieved11 November2021.
- ^Anonymous (1998)."Vernacular Names of the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent"(PDF).Buceros.3(1): 53–109. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2010-04-01.
- ^"Birds on stamps: Sri Lanka".
- Birds of Indiaby Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp,ISBN0-691-04910-6
External links
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