Crested myna | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Sturnidae |
Genus: | Acridotheres |
Species: | A. cristatellus
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Binomial name | |
Acridotheres cristatellus | |
Synonyms | |
Gracula cristatella Linnaeus, 1758 |
The crested myna (Acridotheres cristatellus), also known as the Chinese starling, is a species of starling in the genus Acridotheres native to southeastern China and Indochina.[2][3] It is named after the tuft of feathers on its forehead that resembles a crest.[3]
The crested myna is typically found in open spaces near urban and agricultural areas.[2][4] It is a popular cage bird and, as a result, has been accidentally released in a few places outside of its usual range.[2] For example, this species was introduced around 1890 into the Vancouver region of British Columbia.[2][3][4] It was initially successful, reaching a population in the thousands, however, it has since then gone locally extinct in the area.[2][5]
Like many starlings, the crested myna is omnivorous.[3] It will eat a variety of food including worms, grubs, grains, fruit, and even garbage.[3] It is a highly beneficial bird to farmers, as it feeds on insects and does not attack crops.[4]