Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Scientific name definitions

The Common Hill Myna is a large and thickset sturnid with unique lappet wattles on its head. The combination of its glossy-black body plumage, white wing-patches, and heavy, orange bill is diagnostic in its range. It inhabits the tall canopy of woodlands and open forests; primarily in level lowlands from northern and eastern India throughout southern China and much of southeastern Asia, including the mainland and Sunda Islands. It is adaptable, and able to inhabit logged and degraded forest habitats as long as stands of tall trees remain. It is a secondary cavity nester; relying on natural holes or nests excavated by large barbets (Psilopogon) or woodpeckers (Picidae).

It occurs in pairs or groups. Flocks outside of the breeding season may travel a great distance for food sources. It is commonly seen congregating with other bird species in fruiting trees or flowering trees, and is presumed to play an important role in seed dispersion and the cross-pollination of trees. Largely arboreal; it often descends to ground to drink or to capture animal prey items to feed its young (1 Bertram, B. (1970). The vocal behaviour of the Indian Hill Myna Gracula religiosa. Anim. Behav. Monogr. 3: 79–192. Close ).

It has long been popular in the cagebird trade, owing largely to its remarkable ability to mimic a wide range of vocalizations, including human speech. Its popularity has lead to over-exploitation of wild-caught nestlings, and has resulted in rapid declines and local extinctions in many areas (2 BirdLife International (2022). Species factsheet: Gracula religiosa. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 15/10/2022. Close ), particularly the various islands of Indonesia (3 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ). Taxonomic relationship within the genus still not well understood.