I see these guys hanging around outside. Can you ID this bird for me? Looks like a blackbird. Thanks all. Unidentified Malaysian bird ( photo / image / picture from Frank's Garden )
I'm guessing it is Turdus merula, pretty much known as a male Common Blackbird especially in locations where it is the only Blackbird species. There are several sub-species listed on that wikipedia page, but not knowing which one might have settled in Malaysia, I don't know for sure which one this one might be. There appears to be a variety of sizes too.
Good guess Toni but this bird isn't a common blackbird. The bill, legs and tail, as well as the overall shape of the bird, are entirely different to that of a blackbird. Frank's bird is actually a Jungle Myna, Acridotheres fuscus. Great photograph Frank!! :-D
You are close Eileen, it is a Common Myna instead of a Jungle Myna. Jungle Myna are smarter, larger and they can be be trained to imitate human speech. Nice shot Frank!!
Thanks guys, you are really amazing. Now I will be able to say hello to the Myna everyday Glad you liked the snap.
Thanks KK. I was hoping you'd read this thread as I wasn't 100% positive of my ID. I knew it was a Myna but felt sure you'd be able to put me right if I'd got it wrong. :-D
Should have known you would have the answer KK. I didn't notice the white on it's tail last night, that would have told me I was wrong with my guess. I think they are only kept as exotic pets here, some may have escaped into the wild tho.
Actually Eileen was closer in terms of taxonomical relationship, this Myna is actually the Javan Myna, which is more closely related to the Jungle Myna than the Common Myna. However, the Jungle Myna is nearly extinct or already extinct from central to southern Peninsular Malaysia due to the introduction of this Javan Myna. You can tell the difference of the species by observing the bill, the Jungle Myna had a blue-black base on the lower mandible. The Common Myna is very different with a yellow skin around the eyes. Thanks.
