Pied Starling

Pied Starling looking for grubs in short grass, New Delhi, India. Mynas are members of the starling family, Sturnidae. If you look closely their pupils are surrounded by small sparkling dots, reminiscent of the stars in the night sky.

About the Pied Starling:

The Pied Myna or Asian pied starling is a species of starling (Sturnidae) native to Asia. This medium sized bird has striking black and white plumage, with a yellowish red beak and skin around the eyes. Like many other Starlings, Pied Mynas are opportunistic omnivores that have adapted extremely well to life in an urban habitat and as such can be found in cities throughout the continent. Their diet consists of invertebrates, immature birds and eggs, amphibians, fruits and seeds. Mynas are well known for their impressive vocal range, which once made them a popular pet as they could be taught to mimic human speech. Birds communicate with each other with whistling, squeaking and gurgling sounds. 

You can find out more about the Pied Myna here.