Purple-backed Starling vs Common Myna
Agropsar sturninus compared with Acridotheres tristis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-backed Starling | Common Myna |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Agropsar sturninus | Acridotheres tristis |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae | Sturnidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 38.0 cm (15.0 in) |
| Weight | 74.85 g (2.64 oz) | 120.0 g (4.23 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Omnivorous — insects, fruit, grain, and kitchen scraps. Bold and opportunistic around human settlements. |
| Clutch Size | 3-7 | 2-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Purple-backed Starling only
Common Myna only
Common Myna
Urban areas, farmland, and open woodland. Closely associated with humans and one of the most successful avian urban colonizers.
Song & Call Comparison
Purple-backed Starling
Common Myna
A noisy, cackling chatter and melodious whistling mixed together. An accomplished mimic of other birds and sounds. Gives repeated 'mee-ow' and harsh 'quarr' alarm calls.
Geographic Range & Migration
Purple-backed Starling
Common Myna
Native to South and Southeast Asia. Introduced and invasive in Australia, South Africa, Middle East, and many Pacific islands.
Conservation Status
Purple-backed Starling
Common Myna
How to Tell Them Apart
Purple-backed Starling
Common Myna
Brown body with a glossy black hood, yellow bill, and bare yellow skin behind the eye. White wing patches conspicuous in flight. Yellow legs.
Strong, slightly curved yellow bill
About These Birds
Purple-backed Starling
The Purple-backed Starling, <em>Agropsar sturninus</em>, is a member of the family Sturnidae, the starlings and mynas, breeding in northeastern Asia and wintering in Southeast Asia. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature. This species is associated with forest habitats, including open woodlands and forest edges across its breeding range in northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and adjacent areas, wintering in Borneo, the Philippines, and nearby islands. The Purple-backed Starling holds a conservation status …
Common Myna
The common myna has been named one of the world's 100 worst invasive species by the IUCN. Originally from South Asia, it has been introduced to tropical regions worldwide where it outcompetes native birds for nest cavities. Despite its invasive status, the myna is an intelligent and charismatic bird capable of mimicking human speech.