Alternative names: Suly Myna; Greater King Starling
- Basilornis galeatus
Identification
25cm (9.4-9-8 in). A distinctive myna.
- Slightly iridescent black plumage
- Pale yellow bill
- Large white and buff patches on the side of the neck and breast
- Feathers of forehead, crown and nape pointed inward with central ones longer to form a distinct iridescent purple-black crest
Sexes similar. Juveniles have a shorter, duller crest, a brown chin, and a dark upper bill.
Distribution
Endemic to Banggai Islands (Peleng and Banggai) and Sula Islands (Taliabu, Seho, Mangole), east of Sulawesi, Indonesia.
A poorly known restricted-range species.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
May form a superspecies with Sulawesi Myna and Long-crested Myna.
Habitat
Forest; also found in disturbed and cultivated areas and in mangroves. Occurs up to 1000m.
Behaviour
Usually found in pairs, but also flocks; frequents tall trees.
Diet
Only known to take fruit and berries from canopy to midlevels of trees.
Breeding
No information about breeding.
Movements
A resident species.
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. (2025) Helmeted Myna. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Helmeted_Myna
