Common Myna (also known as the Indian Myna)

The Common Myna is a medium-sized chocolate-brown bird with a black head and a bright yellow patch behind the eye. In flight, its wings reveal large white circular patches (formed by these feathers). It has a confident, strutting walk and is highly vocal with a wide range of squawks and whistles.

Dominated by a deep brownish-black to black pigment (eumelanin). The most diagnostic feature is the bold, clean white patch at the base of the barbs, which creates a large white circular 'window' visible on the wing in flight.

Densely packed, interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane to provide a stiff, wind-resistant surface for flight. The base of the feather shows a small amount of plumulaceous (downy) structure near the calamus.

The rachis is dark, sturdy, and slightly curved. It is thicker at the base (calamus) and tapers toward the tip. Barbs are uniform in color except for the abrupt transition to white at the basal third of the vane.

The surface is smooth and somewhat glossy, especially on the black portions. The vanes are stiff and resilient, providing the necessary rigidity for the downstroke of flight.

These are the outermost wing feathers (primaries), which are attached to the manus (hand) of the bird and provide the main thrust during flight.

The most striking diagnostic feature is the intense black color contrasting with a stark, well-defined white base on the inner and outer vanes of the primary feathers.

Extremely adaptable; found in open woodlands, agricultural lands, and heavily urbanized areas. They are frequently seen in parks, gardens, and around human habitation where they scavenge for food.

Native to Southern Asia (from Afghanistan to southwestern China). However, it has been widely introduced and is now established in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and many oceanic islands.

Omnivorous scavenger and insectivore. In introduced ranges, it competes aggressively with native cavity-nesting birds for nesting sites, often displacing them.

Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) feathers are very similar but usually show a more brownish-grey base rather than pure black. Magpies have white in the wing but the proportions and shape of the white 'window' are different.

The Common Myna is known as 'The Farmer's Friend' in its native India because it eats locusts, but it was named one of the World's 100 Worst Invasive Alien Species by the IUCN due to its impact on biodiversity elsewhere.

In its native range, it is often kept as a pet because it is an excellent mimic and can be taught to speak. It features prominently in Indian folk tales and regional literature.

Look for these feathers under urban roosting trees or near outdoor cafes where Mynas frequent. The 'white flash' is unmistakable even from a distance.

The feathers appear to be in Good to Excellent condition with very little wear on the tips, suggesting they were likely freshly molted or the bird was in peak health.