Bank Myna
Acridotheres ginginianus
灰背岸八哥
Introduction
Bank myna (Acridotheres ginginianus) is a myna species native to the northern plains of the Indian subcontinent. These social birds inhabit open grasslands, agricultural areas, and urban environments including markets, railway stations, and city streets. They are frequently observed in noisy flocks with varied vocalizations. The species is strongly associated with water and nests colonially in earthen riverbanks, excavating burrows in soft soil to create nesting chambers. This specific nesting behavior gives the species its common name. Their diet includes insects, grains, and food scraps in urban areas. The species' range has expanded southward in recent decades, increasing its presence in areas where it was previously absent.
Description
A compact starling-sized bird measuring approximately 21-22 centimeters in length. The head is black on the crown and sides, contrasting with slaty grey upperparts. The underparts are a lighter grey, washed with pale pink toward the center of the abdomen. The black wings feature a distinctive pale patch at the base of the primaries, while the outer tail feathers show pinkish-buff tips. The most diagnostic feature is the prominent brick-red naked skin patch behind the eye—absent in similar species. The legs are bright yellow and the iris is a deep, dark red. Sexes appear identical in the field. Juveniles can be distinguished by their browner head and neck plumage.
Identification
Smaller and distinctly greyer than the common myna, with which it is most often confused. The brick-red patch of bare skin behind the eye immediately separates it from the common myna, which has yellow skin in the same location. The grey underparts are paler than the common myna's brownish plumage. The slight frontal tuft of feathers and grey coloration create some superficial resemblance to the jungle myna, but the jungle myna lacks the brick-red eye patch and has a more prominent crest. Bank mynas also show the pale wing patch and pinkish tail tips more distinctly than their relatives.
Distribution & Habitat
Native range centers on the Indian subcontinent, from the Indus Valley in Pakistan west to the Gangetic Delta in Bangladesh, occurring south of the Himalayan foothills. Habitats include open country, cultivated farmland, and areas near open water, though they have adapted readily to urban environments including markets, railway stations, and busy city centers. The range has expanded southward beyond its historical boundary roughly along the line between Bombay and Balasore. Common throughout Pakistan's Sind and Punjab provinces. Established introduced populations occur in Kuwait, with occasional records from the Maldives, Taiwan, and Japan. Mainly resident but makes local movements in response to food availability and weather conditions.
Behavior & Ecology
Highly gregarious throughout the year, foraging, breeding, and roosting in flocks. These bold birds allow close approach, often perching on livestock and moving through crowded urban areas in search of food scraps. Their vocabulary is extensive, including clucks, croaks, screeches, whistles, and warbling notes. Diet consists of grains, fruits, and insects, including agricultural pests such as castor caterpillars. They frequently follow grazing livestock to capture disturbed insects and sometimes pick ectoparasites from the animals. Breeding occurs from April through July or August, with peak activity in May and June. Colonies nest exclusively in earthen banks, embankments, or well walls, excavating burrows that may extend 4-7 feet horizontally. The nest chamber is lined with grass, feathers, and occasionally snake shed skins. Clutches of 4-5 pale sky blue or greenish-blue eggs incubate for 13-14 days, with fledging occurring around 21 days. Two broods may be raised per season.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Acridotheres
- eBird Code
- banmyn1
Distribution
foothills of eastern Pakistan to northern Nepal and north-central India
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.