Odd looking Myna

[Bobolink]

I photographed this Myna at Te Ngaere Bay west of Matauri Bay, Northland on 28th April. I only realsied it was a bit different when I got back to the UK.

[Bobolink]

Pressed submit too quickly by accident, it is of course the bottom bird cf to an Indian Myna. Any thoughts?

[les]

looks pretty much what a normal mynah looks like around here?

[Bobolink]

THe bottom bird's underparts looked rather greyish-black to my eyes, more a Javan Mynas tone, compared to the Indian Mynas underparts. Could be just a trick of the light I guess

[andrewcrossland]

Yes it does look like a Javan Myna. But it’s not quite right plumage-wise and is far from any port where a stowaway could come ashore from a ship. It’s far more likely an aberrant common myna but do you have any more pics?

[Bobolink]

Just the one Andrew, taking them for eBird. If anyone goes to Te Ngaere Bay it will be worth looking. As you say its not quite right plumage-wise.

[Ian Southey]

The brownish tone on the back of the neck looks like a juvenile character but at this time of year juvenile mynas should be moulting, or finished moult. Maybe it was late hatching. Also the picture looks a little over-exposed and that may change the shade of colour a little.

Ian