Bank Myna

The Bank Myna is a medium-sized myna, paler and greyer than its close relative the Common Myna, with an overall soft bluish-grey body plumage. Its most distinctive feature is a patch of bare, brick-orange skin around the eye, contrasting with an orange-based yellow bill.

True to its name, the Bank Myna is closely associated with the earthen banks of rivers, where it excavates nesting burrows, often alongside other Bank Mynas in loose colonies.

Key field marks

• Pale bluish-grey body plumage, darker on the head
• Bare orange skin patch around the eye (rather than yellow, as in Common Myna)
• Orange-yellow bill and legs
• White wing patches visible in flight, similar to other mynas

Similar species

The Common Myna is browner with a yellow bare eye patch, while the Jungle Myna has a forehead tuft and pale blue-white eyes. The Bank Myna's grey tone and orange eye patch are diagnostic.

Range

Found across much of the northern and central Indian subcontinent, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Habitat

Strongly associated with towns, agricultural land, and particularly the earthen banks of rivers and canals, where it excavates nest burrows.

Migration

Largely resident, with some local movements related to food and nesting site availability.

Behavior

Gregarious, often seen in flocks foraging on farmland, grazing land, or following livestock and plows to catch disturbed insects; nests colonially in riverbanks.

Voice

Chattering, gurgling calls typical of mynas, often given in noisy group interactions at communal roosts.

Feeding

An opportunistic omnivore, eating insects, grain, fruit, and scraps, frequently foraging close to human activity and livestock.

Nesting and breeding

Excavates nesting burrows in vertical earthen riverbanks, often in loose colonies with multiple pairs nesting close together. Lays 4-6 eggs, with both parents helping raise the young.