Alternative names: Celebes Myna; Sulawesi Crested Myna; Sulawesi King Starling
- Basilornis celebensis
Identification
25cm. A distinctive Myna.
- Rigid crest formed by feathers of forehead, crown and nape
- Glossy violet-blue head
- White patch on lower ear-coverts
- Black upperparts and underparts with green iridescence on feather tips
- White patch at side of breast
- Brown-red eye
- Pale greenish-blue bill
- Lemon-yellow legs
Sexes similar. Juveniles are chocolate-brown and appear streaked on underparts.
Distribution
Found on Sulawesi, Indonesia and adjacent islands (Lembeh, Muna and Buton).
A restricted-range species. Population size unknown, reported as rare to not uncommon.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
May form a superspecies with Helmeted Myna and Long-crested Myna.
Habitat
Primary rainforest and woodland. Also seen in secondary forest, forest edge and clearings. Occurs up to 1200m, mostly below 1000m.
Behaviour
Omnivorous. Feeds on fruit and animal matter (invertebrates and small vertebrates).
No information about breeding.
Presumably a resident species.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Sulawesi Myna. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 May 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Sulawesi_Myna
