Common Starling vs Bali Myna
Sturnus vulgaris compared with Leucopsar rothschildi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Starling | Bali Myna |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sturnus vulgaris | Leucopsar rothschildi |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae | Sturnidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
| Length | 21.5 cm (8.5 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 37.0 cm (14.6 in) | 26.2 cm (10.3 in) |
| Weight | 78.0 g (2.75 oz) | 92.5 g (3.26 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — insects and larvae (especially leatherjackets), earthworms, fruit, and seeds. Probes soil with open … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 4-7 | 1-5 |
| 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
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.
Bali Myna
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Starling
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Bali Myna
Conservation Status
Common Starling
Bali Myna
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Bali Myna
About These Birds
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.
Bali Myna
The Bali Myna is a Critically Endangered starling endemic to the island of Bali, Indonesia, weighing about 92.5g with a wingspan of 26.2cm. It has snow-white plumage with black wingtips and a vivid blue eye patch, and is one of the rarest birds in the world. Trapping for the cage-bird trade has devastated wild populations, though captive breeding and reintroduction programs are ongoing.