Great Myna

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.

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.  Great typically appears jet-black otherwise, so the white in its tail contrasts sharply.

Crest Shape:  Crest shape may be helpful in some cases, but it is often ambiguous because all four species can have short crests.  Typically, Great’s crest is longer and spikier than any of the others, and Crested has the next-longest crest feathers.  Javan and Jungle’s crest-feathers are always shorter than typical Great and Crested.

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.