What’s in a Name?
Mynahs are members of the starling family Sturnidae. They are native to India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, but have been introduced to North America, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, and New Zealand. The name Mynah derives from the Hindu “maina” and the Sanscrit “madana”, which have been translated as fun-loving and delightful. Mynahs have been featured in Indian literature for centuries. Ancient texts use the word “Kalahapriya” to describe them, which translates as “fond of contention, quarrelsome, turbulent,” which undoubtedly refers to their loud and boisterous personality.
The most well-known varieties of Mynahs are the Common, Hill, with its striking orange neck, and the Javan which are pictured below:
Images Courtesy of Google
History of Mynah Birds in Hawaii
Common Mynahs were introduced to Hawaii in the 1860’s to control an infestation of cutworm moths which were doing heavy damage to sugarcane crops. While they were successful at neutralizing the moths and resulting army worms, as is so often the case when man interferes with nature, they quickly spread throughout the islands. They displaced and in some cases, preyed upon native birds, and spread salmonella and avian malaria doing even more damage. They love fresh fruit right off the tree and are considered agricultural pests by the state of Hawaii.
Common world-wide, in Australia and South Africa they are generally hated for causing large crop losses.
They are also unpopular with homeowners, as they will nest in attics or other areas around they house and make a mess. Large flocks will nest in available trees, and they can be very noisy at dawn and dusk daily.
Mynah Bird Personality
Yet with all their faults, there is something striking about them; they way they walk and carry on, their loud chatter, head bobbing, and playful nature. With their ability to mimic human speech, intelligence, and natural curiosity they are very popular as pets. However hand-raised Mynahs don’t seek or desire physical affection as many other birds do. Instead they just enjoy being around us, and pets in general including other birds and even dogs.
Mynahs are strong-willed and live with a clear hierarchy in the wild. Fights are rare, but quite the spectacle. As many as 20-30 birds can gather in a ring to watch the participants battle it out. The fight can go on for five to ten minutes until the victor banishes the loser. Watch this video of a small fight for a sample of how vicious they can be:
What Do I Do If I Find A Baby Bird?
Baby birds are always best cared for by their parents. If you come across a hatchling, back away and observe from a distance. Listen and watch for the parents. They are usually nearby and waiting to feed or encourage the hatchling when it is safe. Leave them alone for a few hours and check back later before dark to see if the hatchling or fledgeling has moved on.
Only as a last resort should you bring the bird inside for safety and warmth overnight. In the morning place the bird outside where you found it and wait for the parents to find it.
If the bird is truly an orphan, then the next best option is a nearby wildlife rehab center. Taking on this responsibility yourself is a lot for most people to handle as baby birds need feeding every 2-4 hours for the first few months. Take the bird to an avian vet for a welfare check to make sure it is healthy. Most birds have a long lifetime, so understand the responsibility your are undertaking if you decide to keep the bird as a pet.
In The Wild
Mynahs live in flocks in the wild based on family groups.
They are territorial and once they find a good source of food, they stay put.
If you want to encourage them, commercial Mynah pellets, fresh fruit, and/or mealworms are good healthy treats.
Once a food source has been identified, they will return daily and eventually may target that area for nesting.
You may eventually begin to distinguish different birds, based on feather coloring, head markings, physical deformities, and also personality.
They’re fun to watch and will eventually be emboldened to get closer to you as a food source over time.