Common Myna

The introduced common myna, or maina, is a bold brown starling concentrated in warmer parts of the North Island. It is chocolate-brown with a black hood, yellow bill, yellow bare skin around the eye and white wing patches conspicuous in flight.

It is common in urban and rural districts of the northern North Island and becomes scarce farther south. Mynas walk confidently on the ground, eating insects, fruit, scraps and other varied food, and gather at communal night roosts.

Road verges, town centres, parks and pasture in Northland, Auckland and Waikato are dependable places.