Streptocitta albertinae
The Bare-eyed Myna, *Streptocitta albertinae*, is a striking member of the starling family (Sturnidae) endemic to the central highlands of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Measuring approximately 35 cm in length and weighing around 175 grams, its most distinctive feature is a large, featherless patch of skin around the eye, which can range in color from yellowish-orange to a vibrant salmon-pink. The rest of its plumage is predominantly glossy black, often exhibiting a subtle greenish-blue sheen, contrast...
Found in submontane primary and secondary forests, often at forest edges or in degraded areas, and occasionally in cultivated lands at elevations between 600 and 1600 meters.
Omnivorous, primarily consuming a variety of fruits, especially figs, complemented by a significant intake of insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and ants.
The Bare-eyed Myna is a diurnal species, typically observed foraging in pairs or small family groups, occasionally forming flocks of up to ten individuals. They exhibit a primarily arboreal foraging strategy, gleaning fruits and insects from the canopy and mid-story, though they will also descend...
The Bare-eyed Myna is strictly endemic to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, with its distribution confined to the central highlands. Its known range primarily encompasses the mountainous regions surrounding Lake Poso, extending across central and sometimes northern parts of the island. These p...
Near Threatened
- The Bare-eyed Myna is one of only two species in the genus *Streptocitta*, making it a unique lineage within the starling family. - Its scientific name, *albertinae*, honors Albertina van Limburg Stirum, a Dutch noblewoman and patron of natural history. - The prominent bare skin around its eye ...