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Common Myna (bald)

Acridotheres tristis

Photo by SukanyaDatta
Published on Project Noah
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22.5726, 88.3639

Field Notes

Description:

The head is almost just the skull but the bird was healthy, actively stalking and flying strongly.
Normally chocolate coloured feathers would have covered the head.

Habitat:

Urban residential area.

Notes:

I have seen such birds elsewhere too: https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/2087306002
https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/279786002

During my research days, there was this very aggressive crow that had learnt to snatch discarded pesticide-treated animals...it was bald. Such is NOT the case here.
Adding some notes on Baldness in Birds: Cause, partial moulting, mites, injury, poor nutrition, pollution, genetics even OVER-preening by mate...all may be reasons.
http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/birding-aus/1997-01/msg00071.html
https://www.thespruce.com/bald-birds-386455

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (9)

Very interesting. Well, good for them, I guess! Hahah.
Thanks mauna...apparently the baldness in the common myna happens quite often and researchers still have not agreed over the WHY. Doesn't affect romance and starting a family though.
Baldness in birds happens and apparently common mynas are most affected...I will post some links...plus it is a common symptom of pesticide poisoning.@ Maria dB.
Interesting spotting. I wonder if the bird was molting or there was some other reason for a lack of head feathers.
I've never seen a bald myna either. The new look ;) Nice spotting, Sukanya.
Aha !! So that's what they look like underneath. Love the little tuft. A yellow dinosaur. They are taking over here but I will look at them in a new light.
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!

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