Also known as "
myna" and "
mino" birds.
Class: Aves (
Birds)
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Acridotheres
Species: Tristis (Common Myna);
Cinereus (Jungle Myna);
Ginginianus (Bank Myna);
Gracula religiosa (
Hill Myna).
Any of various
starlings of southeast
Asia, having bluish-black or dark brown colouration and yellow bills. Certain species, especially the
hill myna (
Gracula religiosa), are known for their
mimicry of human speech.
Aldous Huxley's novel
Island includes a number of mynah birds whose favourite
cries are: "
Here and now, boys." and "
Attention!"
From the
Hindi mainâ, perhaps from
Sanskrit madanah: "
delightful", "
joyful"; or from
madati: "it
bubbles".
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition