Abbott's Starling vs Common Myna

Arizelopsar femoralis compared with Acridotheres tristis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Abbott's Starling Common Myna
Scientific Name Arizelopsar femoralis Acridotheres tristis
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Sturnidae Sturnidae
Conservation Status Endangered Least Concern
Length — 25.0 cm (9.8 in)
Wingspan — 38.0 cm (15.0 in)
Weight — 120.0 g (4.23 oz)
Diet -- Omnivorous — insects, fruit, grain, and kitchen scraps. Bold and opportunistic around human settlements.
Clutch Size -- 2-6
Population Trend — —

Size Comparison

Body Length
Abbott's Starling —
Common Myna 25.0 cm
Wingspan
Abbott's Starling —
Common Myna 38.0 cm
Weight
Abbott's Starling —
Common Myna 120.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Abbott's 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

Abbott's Starling

Common Myna

Song

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

Abbott's Starling

Common Myna

Native to South and Southeast Asia. Introduced and invasive in Australia, South Africa, Middle East, and many Pacific islands.

Conservation Status

Endangered

Abbott's Starling

Least Concern

Common Myna

How to Tell Them Apart

Abbott's Starling

Common Myna

Plumage

Brown body with a glossy black hood, yellow bill, and bare yellow skin behind the eye. White wing patches conspicuous in flight. Yellow legs.

Bill

Strong, slightly curved yellow bill

About These Birds

Abbott's Starling

Abbott's Starling is an endangered starling found in highland forests of Kenya and Tanzania. It is rare and poorly known, threatened by ongoing habitat loss across its restricted range.

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.

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