Invaders Alert! Singapore's Myna

Hop, hop, hop. A little black bird with a yellow beak hops a little closer to you, hoping that you drop your food bits onto the ground. The bird has a white spot on each of its wings, and if you see if flying you can see that it almost looks like eyes.

This bird is the Javan Myna and is part of the species of small birds called starlings. In Singapore, you can see them around coffee shops and hawker centers. At times, larger birds like crows would be snatching food from these smaller birds or chasing them away. But did you know that this bird is an invasive species?

Neighbours first, then residents

The Javan Myna was originally from Java and Bali in Indonesia, hence the name Javan Myna. people think these birds migrated around the region because they were hunted for the illegal bird trade there. In Singapore, these birds were introduced to our city about 100 years ago through the bird trade.

Like their cousins the Common Myna, these Javan Myna are highly adaptable and are not fussy eaters. They are also aggressive towards other birds who compete with them for food. They were so successful that they have become one of the most common birds seen in Singapore.

Who were the originals?

Their cousin, the Common Myna, are thought to be the first in Singapore. They look almost the same except for a few features like the yellow colour around their eyes and their brownish wing feathers. They have a similar behavior to their cousins but their numbers have been overtaken by the Javan Myna.

The Common Myna

Now that you know the difference, it's easy to spot them. It's good to know that neither of these birds are threatened in Singapore. They are both highly adaptable and can easily find their way in our city. The next time you see these birds around, try to identify them!