- Ampeliceps coronatus
Identification
20cm (7¾ in). A medium-sized Myna.
- Golden-yellow forehead to crown and nape (forming a crest) and down to chin and throat
- Black rest of plumage with some purple and blue-green gloss
- Black wing with yellow patch (and usually not visible white patch)
- Black, short and square-ended tail
- Dark brown eye
- Yellowish-pink bare skin around eye
- Yellow bill
- Dull orange legs
The female has less yellow on head and only a small yellow strip on chin and throat. Juveniles are duller and browner than adults.
Distribution
From extreme northeast India (Cachar) to Burma east to southern China (southwest Yunnan), Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. Also recorded in northwest peninsular Malaysia, but status unclear.
Poorly known and not often observed in the field.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Habitat
Open woodlands within forested mountains, lowland evergreen forest and mixed woodland. Occurs in lowlands and foothills up to 800m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds mainly on fruit. May also take some insects.
Forages in pairs or small groups in the canopy.
Breeding
Breeding season April to August. A monogamous species. The nest is placed in a tree hole, 5 - 15m above the ground. Lays 3 - 4 eggs.
Movements
A resident species.
Gallery
Click on photo for larger image
Photo by James Eaton
Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam, February 2010
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Golden-crested Myna. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 19 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Golden-crested_Myna
