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DESCRIPTION 10 to 18 inches (25 to 45cm) .Body black with metallic sheen on back; beak orange, lighter at tip. Flights black, marked with white. Back of eyes and ear coverts covered by folds of bare, yellow skin. Eyes, feet and legs dark. No visible distinction between sexes. Immatures duller, and lack wattles on head.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION India, through Southeast Asia and Indonesia; introduced elsewhere.
HABITAT Woods and forests, near water, in large groups.
DIET Softbill food or pellets, plus fruit and live food, such as mealworms; standard insectivorous; also dried fruits, such as currants, raisins, sultanas and dates. Young birds sometimes called 'gapers' because they solicit hand-feeding by gaping with open beaks.
SPECIAL NEEDS Daily bathing, preferably in the morning in something the size of a dog bowl made of earthenware, keeps plumage clean; screen portion of cage near bath with sheet of clear plastic to prevent soaking of surrounding areas. Well-balanced diet with vitamins and minerals, as well as much sunlight, to avoid convulsions similar to human epileptic seizures. Change newspaper in cage at least once a day, and regularly wash down perches. Keep in even temperature, especially when older and during winter, to avoid chills and respiratory problems.
CAGE LIFE Although other species are known as mynahs, Greater Hill's powers of mimicry are superior. Words repeated by this species are clearer than those of parrots. If kept in aviaries and not trained to mimic human speech, they repeat whatever sounds they are exposed to. Cage 35 ¥2 X 22 X 22 inches (90 x 55 x 55cm), of stainless steel or galvanized metal, with false wire bottom. Supply cockatiel or starling nest box all
year; in breeding season supply dry leaves, hay, straw, twigs, coconut and hemp fibres as building material. Lays 2 to 4 green-blue eggs with brown spots, incubation 14 to 15 days by both parents, fledging 4 to 5 weeks, independent at 8 to 10 weeks. Elderly birds may lose feathers that will not be replaced.
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