Sri Lanka Myna

Rotund, medium-sized black starling with yellow wattles on the nape, a stout, bicolored bill, and white flashes in the wing. Typically in small groups in the canopy of hill forest, and nearby gardens and woods. Note dark-based, bicolored bill, and only two wattles restricted to the nape, unlike similar Southern Hill Myna. Calls include a strident, downslurred “chewp”, given once or repeatedly, shorter in length than Southern Hill Myna. Also gives various rasping notes.

Gracula ptilogenys is endemic to the wet zone of Sri Lanka, where it is common to very common in lowlands and hills wherever forest persists. This species prefers natural forest and well-wooded country, although it also visits forest edges, gardens, agricultural areas, and plantations.

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.