🐦 Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) – The Woodland Songster of the Indian Subcontinent

The Jungle Myna is a sleek, intelligent, and vocal starling species, known for its affinity to woodland areas, cultivated lands, and semi-urban environments. Unlike its cousin the Common Myna, this species is more associated with natural and semi-natural habitats and can occasionally be spotted in the fringe zones of the Sundarbans, particularly near forest edges and village groves.

🏷 Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Passeriformes
• Family: Sturnidae
• Genus: Acridotheres
• Species: Acridotheres fuscus

🌿 The Jungle Myna is easily identified by its distinct head tuft and natural preference for wooded landscapes, unlike the more urban-adapted Common Myna.

🔬 Morphology & Physical Characteristics

• Size: Medium-sized, about 22–24 cm (8.5–9.5 inches) long.
• Weight: Ranges between 95–110 grams.
• Coloration:
  • Glossy bluish-black plumage on the head and neck.
  • Slate-grey to dark brown body.
  • Bright orange-yellow bill and legs.
  • Distinct tuft of feathers (head crest) at the forehead.
• Eye: Pale blue to whitish iris – unlike the yellow iris of the Common Myna.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

The Jungle Myna is widespread across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, favoring woodlands, gardens, plantations, and rural landscapes.

🌎 Key Habitats:
✅ Eastern India & West Bengal, including Sundarbans fringe zones.
✅ Forest edges, groves, agricultural fields, and orchards.
✅ Villages and temple gardens with tall trees.

📌 In the Sundarbans:

• Found mostly in fringe villages, buffer zones, and non-tidal forest patches.
• Sometimes visits eco-tourism camps and homestead gardens where fruit trees are abundant.

✨ Special Features & Adaptations

1️⃣ Head Crest – A unique feather tuft gives it a distinct silhouette. 🎩
2️⃣ Omnivorous Feeder – Eats fruits, insects, grains, and food scraps. 🪱🍉
3️⃣ Nest in Natural Cavities – Often in tree hollows, crevices, or even abandoned woodpecker nests. 🪵
4️⃣ Sociable & Vocal – Known for soft warbles and mimicry of other birds’ calls. 🎶
5️⃣ Helpful to Farmers – Feeds on agricultural pests, making it beneficial to crops.

🌿 Presence in the Sundarbans

While not a deep mangrove species, the Jungle Myna is commonly observed in the transitional zones between human settlements and forest edges.

📌 Observed in:
✔ Fruit orchards and coconut groves near Sundarban villages.
✔ Buffer zones and eco-resorts with tall trees.
✔ Agroforestry regions with ample nesting and feeding sites.

⚠️ Threats & Conservation Challenges

🚨 Loss of nesting trees due to habitat fragmentation.
🚨 Competition with invasive mynas like the Common Myna in urban edges.
🚨 Pesticide use reducing insect populations.
🚨 Urban expansion pushing the species away from core habitats.

✅ Conservation & Awareness

✔ Tree preservation programs in rural areas.
✔ Insecticide-free farming to support food sources.
✔ Eco-tourism birdwatching walks to promote appreciation for native species.
✔ Nesting box initiatives to support breeding.

🚨 Conservation Status

📌 IUCN Red List: Least Concern ✅
📌 CITES: Not Listed
📌 Indian Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule IV (Moderate Protection)

Though widespread, the Jungle Myna’s dependence on natural woodland habitat means it could be impacted by rapid land-use change in the long term.

The Jungle Myna is a vital member of India’s woodland avifauna, offering natural pest control and seed dispersal. Its occasional presence in the Sundarbans fringe reminds us of the biodiversity supported by mixed landscapes of forest and farmland. With sustainable development and conservation efforts, this charismatic bird will continue to thrive. 🌳🐦

🌟 Credit Note

🌿 Discover the edge-of-forest beauty of the Sundarbans with a Sundarban luxury tour. 🛶✨
🌍 Plan your personalized Sundarban private tour package to explore rural and wild life up close. 🌾🐯
🐟 Enjoy Bengal’s most flavorful festivity at the Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 🎣🍽.

For more information, visit the Jungle Myna Wikipedia Page.