Great Myna vs Common Starling
Acridotheres grandis compared with Sturnus vulgaris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Myna | Common Starling |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acridotheres grandis | Sturnus vulgaris |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae | Sturnidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 21.5 cm (8.5 in) |
| Wingspan | 26.9 cm (10.6 in) | 37.0 cm (14.6 in) |
| Weight | 97.2 g (3.43 oz) | 78.0 g (2.75 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Omnivorous — insects and larvae (especially leatherjackets), earthworms, fruit, and seeds. Probes soil with open … |
| Clutch Size | 4-6 | 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
Great 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
Great Myna
Common Starling
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Great Myna
Common Starling
How to Tell Them Apart
Great 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
Great Myna
The Great Myna (<em>Acridotheres grandis</em>) is a member of the family Sturnidae, the starlings and mynas. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature, though it is among the larger representatives of the Acridotheres genus, as its common name implies. It occupies grassland and wetland habitats, suggesting a degree of adaptability to both open upland and waterside environments within its range in mainland Southeast Asia. Like its congeners, the Great Myna is likely omnivorous, …
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.