Crested Myna

Tail and Vent Color:  Crested’s undertail coverts and tail feathers are narrowly tipped with white, whereas the other species have mostly white undertail coverts and extensively white tail feathers.  Seen from above, Crested’s tail is almost entirely black, whereas the others all have a distinct white terminal band and white outer edges.

Bill and Leg Color:  Great, Javan, and Jungle Mynas all have matching, or nearly matching, yellowish-orange bills and legs—although Jungle differs in that its bill is strongly bicolored, with a black base.  Crested’s bill is pale greenish-yellow (or ivory or “horn-colored”) and its legs are orange, sometimes bright and sometimes dark.  The colors of both its bill and its legs differ from those of the others, and they differ from one another.

Eye Color:  Although eye color is somewhat variable and less reliable than the other features, it can be helpful for confirmation.  Crested’s is roughly intermediate between Great and the other two.  Great’s eyes usually appear dark-brown, or reddish when illuminated.  Javan and Jungle usually show pale-yellow or whitish eyes, sometimes bluish-white.  Crested’s eyes are consistently medium-orange, paler than Great’s and darker than Javan and Jungle’s.

Overall Coloration:  The base color of the body plumage differs somewhat, but also varies within species.  Typically: Great is close to jet-black; Crested tends to show some gray tones; Javan is dark slaty-gray with a blacker hood; and Jungle is medium slaty-gray with some brown tones and a much blacker hood.