TALKING IN HAWAII

 When I was growing up, we always had some species of talking bird, but the one I remember best, was Fagan, my Father's MYNA BIRD. In gleaning information about this species, it seems like the world would greatly  benefit if all mynas were kept in captivity, as much as I hate to see any species caged.

This bird, also known as the Common Myna or Indian Myna, is one of the three most invasive bird species in the world. (Starlings and red-vented bulbuls the other two).

Mynas pose a threat to biodiversity, agriculture, human interests and damage ecosystems. They out-compete native birds for food and nesting sites and they are aggressive, displacing other species.

In cities and urban areas they nest in gutters and drainpipes, causing damage to building exteriors.

This species of myna so common in Hawaii, is a native of India and Pakistan and a member of the starling family. I find them a handsome bird with the yellow patch behind the eye and yellow legs. They are gregarious and pair for life.

But the most interesting thing about them is perhaps their ability to reproduce sounds, including human  speech when in captivity. They are very intelligent birds and can learn up to 100 words. They are only 2nd to the gray parrot in copying human speech. As  my Mother found with her talking birds, it takes repetition and patience- a lot of patience.