In Appreciation of a Myna…

I first noticed the myna birds living in our area a few years ago. My wife and I had recently started feeding a few of the birds that frequented our drive way. There were two myna birds living in the cutout nook under the roof in the house across from us that ventured into our driveway to see what the other birds were eating. Little did I know what would happen next.

After work each day, I’d come home and put some food out for the birds to eat. Somehow, the mynas learned that my car arriving home meant food for them. One afternoon when pulling into the driveway, I witnessed the two mynas running after my car as soon as I pulled into the driveway, then waited patiently on the side until I got out of the car and brought out the food. I thought it was just coincidence, but the very next day, the two of them came running after the car again, and did the same. Luckily, I was able to capture this moment.

At first, it was just a little bit of cereal that I had in the house, but after reading up on myna birds, I learned about Hemochromatosis or iron storage disease in myna birds. I found they enjoyed Pringles chips (which have no iron at all) and wild bird seed and sometimes meal worms. I also learned that myna birds pair for life, and wondered how long this couple had been living across the way from us with without ever noticing.

Things were wonderful for a while. The mynas came each day and eventually other birds started dropping by too. I named the two of them, Myna 1 and Myna 2.

That was in 2016. Shortly after, Myna 1 passed. I don’t know how or why, but I was fortunate to find his body after a few days of searching. He was under a bush across the street, a place where he enjoyed hunting for bugs. He probably took refuge there before passing as it was a safe place.

Mynas are extremely competitive for roosting areas and fight to take over territory. Myna 2 spent a few weeks of hardship defending her territory from being taken over by other myna birds in the neighborhood all by herself. I would often see her hiding under our house to take a break and rest. Not only did she lose her mate, but she had to fight for her own survival at the same time.

Luckily, Myna 2 eventually found a new mate. He was a young, very strong looking bird. I named him Handsome. I don’t know how old Handsome is, but he did seem a bit inexperienced when he arrived, so Myna 2 had to show him the ropes. He slowly learned all of the look out points in the neighborhood and how to defend the territory. He also enjoyed the benefits of daily food, water and the bird bath.

Myna 2 on the left, Handsome on the right.

Myna2 having a drink as Handsome guards the area.

Even after a few years, Handsome has never warmed up to me the way Myna 1 did. Myna 1 was fairly daring, and would walk up to me whenever I came out of the house. This behavior is a little strange for a myna as they generally aren’t very trusting birds. Handsome on the other hand, always runs in the opposite direction when I came out of the house to feed the birds. He’ll quickly return to eat when I’m at a safe distance, then fly off as soon as he’s done. I don’t fault him for this. It’s a good self-defense reflex for any bird to have.

During the last couple of months, I noticed that Myna 2 started to become a little more dependent on us. She’d hear us talking in the kitchen through the window and call out to us from the driveway to come out and feed her. Many times when I’d go outside for something, she’d be right by the car waiting and pop out as if to say, “Hey there! Got any snacks?”

I also noticed that she was drinking a lot more water than normal, but assumed it was because the days were getting hotter as summer was upon us. She also began to take little naps during the day under the shade of the tree by the water dish. I’d watch her from the kitchen dozing off as the other birds mingled around her.

Myna2 boat shape.

Semi sleeping.

Sleeping on the job?

Myna 2 disappeared two weeks ago.

During the week prior, many new fledgling mynas were coming into the neighborhood looking for places to call their home. There were multiple confrontations during this time. Anyone that has seen myna birds fighting know how vicious they can be. They can attack in mid-air, then tumble onto the ground, locking their claws on each other and violently jabbing with their beaks.

Handsome and Myna 2 have always done a good job of chasing away myna that invade their territory, but this time was different. Myna 2 was older and slowing down. Handsome did his best to fight them off on his own while Myna 2 stayed on the sidelines and watched from a distance.

At the end of the day, I would take out my camera with the long lens to get a better look while they ate some food I put out for them. Even after a rough day of chasing off other myna, Handsome had no real signs of injuries and seemed fine. Myna 2 was her normal self and took her time eating while Handsome pushed off any mountain doves that would try to encroach on her food.

I saw the two of them again on a Friday morning, before heading out for a bit. They both came out to get some food and water. When I got home, I saw Handsome in the area, but not Myna 2. This wasn’t totally unusual, as they did things on their own during the day. By the time the sun started to go down, I knew something was wrong when she didn’t come by when food was placed out.

My wife and I started to search the area for her, looking in her in areas that we knew she frequented. Handsome could be heard loudly calling out for her atop the telephone poles. It broke my heart to watch him search and call out for hours until it grew too dark, and had to leave for the night. We never found Myna 2.

Myna2 (front) and Handsome enjoying their snack of chips. This is the last photo I have of her.

Thinking back on the last few years, I realize how much Myna 2 has added to my life. It was because of this bird that I got interested in bird watching. That led to me to purchasing a 100-300mm lens. That purchase allowed me to see up close how birds live. This opened my eyes to a world that I’ve always been surrounded by, but never paid attention to.

My relationship with Myna 2 wasn’t one of owner and pet. Far from it. No matter how much I wished that I could hold her in my hand, or pet her, that would never happen. After all, she was a wild bird. It wasn’t a reciprocal relationship, but I feel like I gained more from it that she did. I am thankful that she was able to feel safe, have some food, water and shelter while she was here. But I’m most thankful that she became part of my life.

I’ll always remember and appreciate you, sweet bird.

I can still hear her calls…