Maina – The Song of the Alkanat Nightingale

Common Myna.

Their body plumage is brown-chocolate in color, while the head, neck, wings, and tail are black. The tips of the wings, tail, and undertail coverts are white. There are bright yellow fleshy growths on the sides and behind the eyes, which are sometimes referred to as "ears," and because of these, the mynas are called ear-starlings.

Originally widespread in South Asia, they are now also found in Central Asia. The fact that they often settle near human habitation helps them spread beyond their natural range. Mynas have adapted better than other birds to the noise and hustle of city streets and have become a common bird in towns and villages, rivaling sparrows in abundance. They nest 2-3 times in the summer; nests are found under roofs, in building walls, and less frequently in tree hollows or cliffs. The clutch consists of 4-5 blue eggs. They feed on insects (including locusts, which they help control), and berries (mainly mulberries). In Latin, the myna is called "Acridotheres tristis," which means "sad locust eater."

They first appeared in Kyrgyzstan in the 1980s. Although literature states that they arrived in Central Asia in the early 20th century, this may refer to the south – in the Fergana Valley. They reached the north, including Bishkek (then Frunze) and the Chui region, in the late 1980s.

Indian starlings – mynas have long earned a reputation as outstanding mimics and talking birds. They nest in tree hollows, burrows, and niches of riverbanks, as well as in rock crevices. Mynas often settle near human structures. They form permanent family pairs that last for life. Mynas can often be seen near grazing livestock, where they catch startled insects. Moreover, mynas boldly perch on the backs of horses, cows, sheep, and goats, picking ticks and various insects from their fur.

Sociable, curious, and intelligent birds, mynas are easily tamed, adapt well to captivity, and quickly become friendly. Mynas are great lovers of picking up foreign words and songs. They can imitate the songs of other birds, the clucking of hens, laughter, coughing, whistling, and, of course, human speech. They are widespread throughout the lowland areas.

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