Birdsong field guide
Collared Myna
Acridotheres albocinctus
A medium-sized black starling distinguished by a prominent white collar and yellow bill, typically found in wet, open landscapes of Southeast Asia.
What it sounds like
A mixture of loud, harsh screeching notes, raspy chatters, and occasional melodic whistles.
Field notes
- It is uniquely identified by a narrow white band wrapping around the back and sides of its neck.
- Unlike many of its relatives in the Acridotheres genus, it lacks bare yellow skin patches around the eyes.
- The species is highly semi-aquatic, favoring marshes and flooded fields over urban environments.
- It frequently follows grazing cattle to feed on insects disturbed by their movement.
- Nesting occurs in tree hollows or in burrows excavated into the banks of rivers.
Habitat
Wet grasslands, marshes, rice paddies, and open riverine tracts.
Range
Northeast India, Myanmar, and Southwest China (Yunnan).
Similar & commonly confused birds
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