The Sri Lanka Hill Myna, Ceylon Myna or Sri Lanka Myna (Gracula ptilogenys), is a myna, a member of the starling family. This bird is endemic to Sri Lanka.
This passerine is typically found in forest and cultivation. The Sri Lanka Myna builds a nest in a hole. The normal clutch is two eggs.
These 25 cm long birds have green-glossed black plumage, purple-tinged on the head and neck. There are large white wing patches, which are obvious in flight. The strong legs are bright yellow, and there are yellow wattles on the nape.
The different shape and position of the wattles and the stouter orange-red bill distinguish this species from the Southern Hill Myna, which also occurs in Sri Lankan forests. The sexes are similar, but juveniles have a duller bill.
Like most starlings, the Sri Lanka Myna is fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects.
Read more about Sri Lanka Hill Myna: In Culture
Famous quotes containing the word hill:
“The longer a woman remains single, the more apprehensive she will be of entering into the state of wedlock. At seventeen or eighteen, a girl will plunge into it, sometimes without either fear or wit; at twenty, she will begin to think; at twenty-four, will weigh and discriminate; at twenty-eight, will be afraid of venturing; at thirty, will turn about, and look down the hill she has ascended, and sometimes rejoice, sometimes repent, that she has gained that summit sola.”
—Samuel Richardson (1689–1761)