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| Gracula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Diversity and distribution within the genus | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Sturnidae |
| Genus: | Gracula Linnaeus,1758 |
| Type species | |
| Gracula religiosa Linnaeus, 1758 | |
| Diversity | |
| See text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Gracula is a genus ofmynas, tropical members of thestarling family ofbirds found in southern Asia and introduced toFlorida in the United States.
ThegenusGracula was introduced in 1758 by the Swedish naturalistCarl Linnaeus in thetenth edition of hisSystema Naturae.[1] The genus name is fromLatingraculus, an unknown bird sometimes identified as thewestern jackdaw.[2] Of the seven species listed by Linnaeus,George Gray designated thecommon hill myna (Gracula religiosa) as thetype species.[3][4]
Until recently only two species were recognised,G. religiosa andG. ptilogenys. Previously, allGracula were considered to belong to a very variable species commonly called thehill myna. Three additionalsubspecies ofG. religiosa are increasingly being considered as distinctspecies. Formerly, the Sri Lanka hill myna was considered to be asubspecies of the common hill myna, but today all major authorities recognise them as separate. Comparably, the Enggano, Nias, Tenggara, and southern hill mynas have traditionally been treated as subspecies of the common hill myna; a treatment still preferred by some authorities.
Four extantspecies are recognized:[5]
| Image | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Gracula ptilogenys | Sri Lanka hill myna | Sri Lanka. |
 | Gracula religiosa | Common hill myna | Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh, the lower Himalayas |
.jpg) | Gracula indica | Southern hill myna | southwest India and Sri Lanka |
| Gracula venerata | Tenggara hill myna | Indonesia |
A 2020 study found that the subspeciesG. religiosa miotera orSimeulue hill myna, which is endemic toSimeulue, Indonesia and has not been recognized in recent taxonomic arrangements aside fromHBW (Handbook of the Birds of the World), also likely represents a distinct species and was likely driven toextinction in the wild in the late 2010s due to unsustainable collecting for thewildlife trade. The paper recommends rescuing the last genetically pure captive individuals for the purpose ofcaptive breeding.[6]
Formerly, some authorities also considered the following species (or subspecies) as species within the genusGracula:
These 25–30 cm (9.8–11.8 in) long birds have glossy blackplumage and large white wing patches which are obvious in flight. The bill and strong legs are bright yellow or orange, and there are yellow wattles on the head, the shape and position of which vary with species. The sexes are similar, but juveniles have a duller bill.
Hill mynas are renowned for their ability to mimic the human voice. It has been claimed that the hill mynah is the besttalking bird and the best mimic in the world.[7]
This genus has representatives in tropical southern Asia from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia, and the common hill myna, a popular cage bird, has been introduced to the United States.
The hill mynas are resident breeders typically found in forest and cultivation. The nest is built in a hole and the usual clutch is two or three eggs.
Like most starlings, the hill mynas are fairlyomnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects.
