Sri Lanka Myna Gracula ptilogenys Scientific name definitions

25 cm. Relatively small black myna, feathers on forehead projecting upwards and forwards, forming small spiky tufts; two separate wattles on nape. Male  plumage is essentially black, with narrow band of velvety feathers surrounding eye, body with strong purple gloss  ; outermost large primary (P9) has white patch on inner web, P4-P8 with white patches on both webs and primary P3 with much-reduced patch on inner web, producing large white wing patch in flight; iris greyish-white with brown speckles, apparently sometimes whitish; nuchal wattles yellow; bill orange-red, bluish to blackish base; legs deep yellow. Female is very like male in plumage, but lower mantle glossed green (not purple), iris coloration always yellowish-white or whitish. Juvenile is browner and less glossy than adult, bill base paler, nuchal wattles much smaller.

SW Sri Lanka.

Calls include piercing downslurred whistles, also croaking and guttural notes. Captive individuals are good mimics, including imitations of human speech. Wings produce musical hum in flight, audible from moderate distance.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. Restricted range species: present in Sri Lanka EBA. Uncommon and local; common in some places. This species' ability to persist in some secondary and degraded habitats suggests that it may not be at immediate risk. Nestlings often taken for cagebird trade.