Ceylon Myna
Gracula ptilogenys
Silhouette: Rafael Maia · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilySturnidae (Starlings)
- GenusGracula (Hill Mynas)
- SpeciesGracula ptilogenys (Ceylon Myna)
About the Ceylon Myna
The Sri Lanka hill myna or Ceylon 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 in plumage, but can be distinguished by iris color, which is pale in females and dark in males. Juveniles have a duller bill and smaller wattles, and are less glossy overall.
Like most starlings, the Sri Lanka myna is fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects. In Sri Lanka, the Myna bird is known in many names including Sela lihiniya, Mal kawadiya, Kampatiya in the Sinhala language. The name Sela Lihiniya is often mentioned in poems and other similar literature and... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Ceylon Myna in Sinharaja Forest Reserve
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Southern Hill Myna
Gracula indica
White-faced Starling
Sturnornis albofrontatus
Brahminy Starling
Sturnia pagodarum
Square-tailed Bulbul
Hypsipetes ganeesa
Orange-billed Babbler
Turdoides rufescens
Sri Lanka Drongo
Dicrurus lophorinus
White-bellied Drongo
Dicrurus caerulescens
Orange Minivet
Pericrocotus flammeus
Black-capped Bulbul
Pycnonotus melanicterus
Ceylon Magpie
Urocissa ornata
Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
Purple-rumped Sunbird
Leptocoma zeylonica
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sinharaja Forest Reserve | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | |
| 2 | Horton Plains National Park | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | |
| 3 | Yala National Park | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Ceylon Myna in Sinharaja Forest Reserve?
About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Ceylon Myna sighting in Sinharaja Forest Reserve, based on 942 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Ceylon Myna in Sinharaja Forest Reserve?
September has the highest sighting rate for Ceylon Myna in Sinharaja Forest Reserve in our monthly data.