Bank Myna

The Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus) is a close relative to the Common Myna of last week’s post. The ranges of both species overlap, but there is no danger of confusing the two as the Bank Myna is slightly smaller and can be identified by the prominent orange patch of skin around the eyes. The species originally occurred in northern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh only, but similar to the Common Myna it seems to spread and has recently been recorded in the southern part of the subcontinent as well as in places as far as Kuwait and Japan.

The Bank Myna received its name due to the habit of burrowing nests in the banks of rivers or lakes. In these up to several feet deep, horizontal burrows, the female lays around 4 to 5 eggs. The birds have a mixed diet of fruits, seeds, small animals and discarded food of humans. I have photographed these pretty birds at the shore of the Man Sagar Lake in January 2014 where we actually stopped to have a look at the beautiful Jal Mahal, the Water Palace, of Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Bank Myna