Bank Myna vs Common Starling
Acridotheres ginginianus compared with Sturnus vulgaris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bank Myna | Common Starling |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acridotheres ginginianus | Sturnus vulgaris |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae | Sturnidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 21.5 cm (8.5 in) |
| Wingspan | 24.0 cm (9.4 in) | 37.0 cm (14.6 in) |
| Weight | 69.0 g (2.43 oz) | 78.0 g (2.75 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Omnivorous — insects and larvae (especially leatherjackets), earthworms, fruit, and seeds. Probes soil with open … |
| Clutch Size | 3-8 | 4-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Common Starling
Open countryside, farmland, parks, and urban areas. Forms enormous communal roosts in winter, especially in urban environments.
Song & Call Comparison
Bank Myna
Common Starling
A complex mimic: rattles, whistles, clicks, and squeaks mixed with imitations of other birds. Song is a continuous medley. Also gives harsh 'scheer' alarm and chattering.
Geographic Range & Migration
Bank Myna
Common Starling
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Bank Myna
Common Starling
How to Tell Them Apart
Bank Myna
Common Starling
Glossy black plumage with iridescent purple and green sheen in breeding season. Winter plumage shows white spotting. Short tail and pointed wings in flight.
Long, pointed bill — yellow in breeding season, dark in winter
About These Birds
Bank Myna
The Bank Myna is a medium-sized starling of the family Sturnidae found in open habitats across the Indian subcontinent. Weighing about 69g with a wingspan of 24cm, it excavates nest burrows in earthen banks, cliffs, and roadsides. It feeds on insects, fruit, and human food scraps in agricultural and urban areas.
Common Starling
The common starling is famous for its murmurations — vast swirling flocks of thousands that create mesmerizing patterns in winter skies. An accomplished mimic, it can imitate other birds, car alarms, and phone ringtones. Introduced to North America by a group intent on establishing every bird mentioned by Shakespeare.