The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is a bird of the family Sturnidae, in the order Passeriformes.
Quick answer
The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is a brown starling with a black head and bright yellow bill, eye-skin and legs. Native to South Asia, it has been introduced to Australia, South Africa, Pacific islands and many other places, where it competes with native birds for nest holes. BirdLife estimates about 200 million mature birds and lists it as Least Concern.
Top questions about the Common Myna
Common Myna facts at a glance
- Weight 120 g
- Length 26 cm
- Lifespan 4 years
| Scientific name | Acridotheres tristis |
|---|---|
| Other name | Indian myna |
| Diet | Omnivore: insects, fruit, grain and food scraps |
| Habitat | Towns, villages, farmland and open woodland |
| Length | 23–26 cm |
| Weight | 82–143 g |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2025) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Acridotheres |
Where it lives
The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is native to South and Central Asia from Iran and Kazakhstan to India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Introduced to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hawaii, Florida and many islands. — recorded across Asia in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a common myna?
An adult common myna measures 26 cm long — about 15% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 120 g, a small fraction of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of common mynas called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Common Mynas is called a flock.
Baby name
A baby Common Myna is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Identification
Common mynas are chocolate-brown with a glossy black head, a yellow bill, a patch of bare yellow skin behind the eye and yellow legs. Large white wing patches flash in flight. They walk rather than hop and are noisy, with a wide range of chattering and whistling calls.
City birds
In its native range from Iran and Central Asia to India and Myanmar, the myna lives alongside people, feeding on lawns, in markets and around farms and roosting in large, noisy flocks at night.
An invasive species
Mynas were introduced to control insects or as cage birds in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hawaii, Florida and many islands. They compete with native birds for nest holes and can raid other birds' nests. The species appears on the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group's list of 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species.
Status
BirdLife International lists the common myna as Least Concern (2025), estimating about 200 million mature birds, although it reports the overall trend as decreasing. Animal Diversity Web gives an average life expectancy of about 4 years.
Explore the Common Myna
Close relatives
- Common Starling Same family
- Canary Same order
- House Sparrow Same order
- Superb Lyrebird Same order
Range & geography
Did you know? Common Myna facts
- Mynas walk rather than hop.
- Large flocks gather at communal roosts each evening.
Conservation status of the Common Myna
The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2025. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Common Myna
Is the common myna invasive?
Yes, outside South Asia. It has been introduced to many countries and is listed among 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species.
Can common mynas talk?
They are good mimics. Captive mynas can learn some words, although the hill myna is the species best known for speech.
Where is the common myna native?
From Iran and Central Asia through Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka to Myanmar.
How long do common mynas live?
Animal Diversity Web reports an average life expectancy of about 4 years.
What is a group of common mynas called?
A group of Common Mynas is called a flock.
What is a baby common myna called?
A baby Common Myna is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Common Myna:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Acridotheres tristis, most recently assessed in 2025.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Acridotheres tristis. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Acridotheres tristis. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Common Myna. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
- BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: Common Myna Acridotheres tristis. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.
IUCN Red List category Least Concern (assessed 2025), population estimate and trend.
- Animal Diversity Web: Acridotheres tristis. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Size, lifespan and behaviour.
- Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898
Average body mass.
- Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.
English and scientific name, classification and range.
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