Common Myna vs Secretary Bird
Acridotheres tristis compared with Sagittarius serpentarius
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Myna | Secretary Bird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acridotheres tristis | Sagittarius serpentarius |
| Order | Passeriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae | Sagittariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) | 130.0 cm (51.2 in) |
| Wingspan | 38.0 cm (15.0 in) | 210.0 cm (82.7 in) |
| Weight | 120.0 g (4.23 oz) | 3700.0 g (130.51 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — insects, fruit, grain, and kitchen scraps. Bold and opportunistic around human settlements. | Snakes, lizards, small mammals, and large insects. Hunts on foot, stomping prey to death with … |
| Clutch Size | 2-6 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Common Myna
Urban areas, farmland, and open woodland. Closely associated with humans and one of the most successful avian urban colonizers.
Secretary Bird
Open grasslands, savannas, and light woodland across sub-Saharan Africa. Avoids dense forests and very arid regions.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Secretary Bird
A surprisingly deep, resonant croaking 'kowrr-kowrr' often heard at dawn on African savannas. Also gives pig-like grunting sounds. Mostly silent compared to true songbirds.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Myna
Native to South and Southeast Asia. Introduced and invasive in Australia, South Africa, Middle East, and many Pacific islands.
Secretary Bird
Sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal and Somalia south to South Africa. Resident throughout its range.
Conservation Status
Common Myna
Secretary Bird
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Secretary Bird
Grey body plumage with black flight feathers and thigh feathers. Distinctive long black crest feathers trail from the back of the head. Orange-red bare facial skin.
Short, strong, hooked greyish bill with a yellowish cere
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.
Secretary Bird
The secretary bird is the only raptor that hunts primarily on foot, striding through grasslands on crane-like legs up to 1.2 meters tall. Its name may derive from the crest feathers resembling quill pens tucked behind a secretary's ear. The species is classified as Endangered due to habitat loss and decline across much of its range.