Apo myna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Apo myna |
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|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Goodfellowia
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| Species: |
miranda
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| Synonyms | |
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Basilornis mirandus |
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The Apo myna (Goodfellowia miranda) is a special type of starling bird. It's also known as the Mount Apo starling or the Mount Apo king starling. This bird is the only one in its group, called Goodfellowia. You can only find it in the Philippines, living in the cool, tropical mountain forests of Mindanao. Sadly, its home is shrinking, which puts it at risk.
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About the Apo Myna
The Apo myna used to be in a different bird group called Basilornis. But in 2021, scientists moved it back to Goodfellowia. This change happened after new studies looked closely at how birds are related.
The name Goodfellowia honors a bird expert named Walter Goodfellow. The second part of its name, miranda, is a Latin word. It means "wonderful" or "strange."
What Does the Apo Myna Look Like?
The Apo myna is a long-tailed starling. It is about 30 cm (12 in) long, which is about the length of a ruler. It weighs around 110 g (3.9 oz), which is similar to a small apple.
Most of its feathers are shiny black. But its lower back is bright white. The feathers on its head are soft and floppy. They form a unique crest.
Around its eyes and on its cheeks, there is a large patch of bare yellow skin. This creates a very noticeable yellow "mask." Its beak and legs are also yellowish. Both male and female Apo mynas look the same. Young birds look like adults but have duller feathers. Their feathers also have a light brown edge.
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How the Apo Myna Lives
Scientists don't know a lot about how the Apo myna behaves. We do know that it eats berries and insects. It looks for food alone, in pairs, or in small groups.
Nests and Social Life
Only two nests of the Apo myna have ever been found. Both nests were in holes that woodpeckers had made in trees. One nest was about 15 m (49 ft) off the ground. It was built from twigs and leaves.
These birds are often seen resting on dead tree branches. Sometimes, large groups of 20 to 50 birds gather together. They might even mix with other forest birds, like coletos.
What Does the Apo Myna Sound Like?
People who study birds describe its voice as "slurred metallic warbles." It also makes a sharp, falling "tsik!" sound. When it flies, you can even hear its wings beating.
Where the Apo Myna Lives and Its Future
The Apo myna lives only in Mindanao, which is in the southern Philippines. Its natural habitat is moist montane forests. These are mountain forests found above 1,250 m (4,100 ft). Scientists believe these birds do not migrate, meaning they stay in the same area all year.
Protecting the Apo Myna
The Apo myna is listed as near threatened by the IUCN. This means it could become endangered in the future. It is common in some protected areas. However, it lives in a small and scattered area. It is becoming rare in other parts of its home range.
For now, the Apo myna is relatively safe. This is because its habitat is remote and hard to reach. But it is still affected by some logging and land clearing for agriculture. This happens in the lower parts of its mountain home. It could also be threatened by mining in the future.
To help the Apo myna, experts suggest several actions:
- Surveying its range to find out where it lives and how many birds there are.
- Studying its population and how habitat loss affects it.
- Learning more about its habitat, especially how it handles changes to its home.
- Protecting areas where it lives, especially at lower elevations.
- Guarding against logging and people moving into its habitat.
