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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute	Common Myna	Purple-headed Starling
Scientific Name	Acridotheres tristis	Hylopsar purpureiceps
Order	Passeriformes	Passeriformes
Family	Sturnidae	Sturnidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Least Concern
Length	25.0 cm (9.8 in)	—
Wingspan	38.0 cm (15.0 in)	22.9 cm (9.0 in)
Weight	120.0 g (4.23 oz)	63.666666666666664 g (2.25 oz)
Diet	Omnivorous — insects, fruit, grain, and kitchen scraps. Bold and opportunistic around human settlements.	--
Clutch Size	2-6	3
Population Trend	—	—

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Size Comparison

Body Length

Common Myna 25.0 cm

Purple-headed Starling —

Wingspan

Common Myna 38.0 cm

Purple-headed Starling 22.9 cm

Weight

Common Myna 120.0 g

Purple-headed Starling 63.666666666666664 g

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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Common Myna only

🏖️ Coastal 🏜️ Desert 🌾 Grassland

Purple-headed Starling only

🌲 Forest

Common Myna

Urban areas, farmland, and open woodland. Closely associated with humans and one of the most successful avian urban colonizers.

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Song & Call Comparison

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.

Purple-headed Starling

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Geographic Range & Migration

Common Myna

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

Purple-headed Starling

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Common Myna

Least Concern

Purple-headed Starling

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How to Tell Them Apart

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

Purple-headed Starling

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About These Birds

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.

Purple-headed Starling

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Related Comparisons

Common Starling vs Common Myna

same-family

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