A native to Asia, Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis, is well-established in South Florida. Recently, it was unanimously accepted by the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee as an established Florida exotic. Hawaii is included in the A.O.U. Check-list Area, where Common Myna was introduced in 1865, and it is currently well-established and abundant on all of the main Hawaiian Islands from Kauai eastward. It has recently become established on Midway Island. The ABA Checklist Committee is currently reviewing this species for possible inclusion on the ABA Checklist.
Common Myna, a member of the Sturnidae or Starling Family, is pictured in the Fifth Edition of National Geographic's Field Guide to the Birds of North America. It is resident from eastern Iran, Turkestan, and the Himalayas, south to India, Sri Lanka, southeastern Asia, and the Andaman Islands. It has been introduced successfully to South Africa, the Middle East, Malaya, South China (Hong Kong), Australia, New Zealand, and on many islands in the South Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, and in many islands in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. In some regions this species is locally called Indian Myna or House Myna. In its native range, Common Myna breeds all year, often producing multiple broods. It builds a rather large untidy structure, often in an existing tree cavity, in a palm crown, or on buildings.
In South Florida, Common Myna was first reported in Miami in 1983. Currently, it is reported at least as far north as Clewiston and Cocoa Beach, and west through portions of Everglades National Park, to Fort Myers and Everglades City. It might best be found in the Greater Miami Area, especially in the parking lots of fast-food establishments.
Bill Maynard
Editor - Winging It
Did the Common Myna make it onto the ABA list?
Posted by: Laure W. Neish | October 09, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Did the Common Myna make it onto the ABA list?
Posted by: Laure W. Neish | October 09, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Did the Common Myna make it onto the ABA list?
Posted by: Laure W. Neish | October 09, 2008 at 07:30 PM
The new ABA Checklist changes will be included in the November issue Birding.
Posted by: bmaynard | October 10, 2008 at 07:24 PM
For more news on the common myna bird and other news in the Palm Beach area check out http://www.happyherald.com.
Posted by: Palm Beach Newspaper | November 05, 2010 at 03:54 PM
Two Common Mynas observed scavenging in parking lot of motel near Mile Marker 65 (below Islamorada) Apr 19, 2011
Posted by: Wm. Reynolds | April 19, 2011 at 08:33 PM