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Does anyone have info on having a pet mynah bird? Seems like when I was a kid on Oahu, lotsa folks had them, and you could buy them. Haven't seen them here, tho. They are good talkers, I hear, and I'd love to have one that would mimic the oma'o bird songs (but not the hawk....wonder how I'd filter that one out??? LOL!). Just wondering about mynahs as pets...?
Katie
Wherever you go, there you are.
Wherever you go, there you are.
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Hi Katie,
The Indian and Java Hill Mynas used to be quite popular as pets in the past. Unfortunately they have pretty much disappeared from American aviculture. They are not the easiest birds to breed in captivity and importing them has become quite difficult hence their rarity in the pet trade.If you'd like I can get you in touch with a Mynah breeder in California and she might be able to assist you.
Andy
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Thanks Andy, but importing a bird from California would be pretty expensive, I would think. Are the local mynahs not possible as a source of pets? Is it only the Indian and Java Hill mynahs that talk easily? I remember reading an article about an aviary on Kona side...maybe I can ask them? Just thought someone would know of a local source, or if there was some reason they shouldn't be kept as pets....thanks Andy for any info.
Katie
Wherever you go, there you are.
Wherever you go, there you are.
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I don't think having a local mynah bird as a pet is legal. It probably wouldn't be enforced if you had one but I don't think you can buy them. I'm not certain of this, though, this is just what I've heard.
The pet mynah birds were a different type of domestic mynah, I think, but again, I'm not certain.
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
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The HIll Myna Gracula religiosa was the talking Myna of the pet trade. Escapees on O'ahu bred in the wild for a while. There's a chance that a few persist at Lyon Arboretum, but I haven't heard anything about them through the "grapevine". I recall that Trader Vic's in Honolulu had one in the lobby that would ask, "How's your golf game?" when people walked by.
The Common Myna Acridotheres tristis, the common introduced species, is very vocal, but mostly in it's own language. It's known to mimic other sounds occasionally, but not human languages. It is also referred to as Indian Myna or House Myna.
No offense, Katie, but IMHO having a bird just so it can entertain with mimicry or talking is the worst reason to keep a bird. They can be great companions and deserve a lot of attention. I don't know about mynas as pets; I have a few years of experience with a cockatoo. Our neighbor's African Grey mimics everything: our house alarm, Barred Doves, their dog, their tools, their coughing and statements, Kalij Pheasants, and I think I've heard it do an Oma'o.
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A few years ago I met a guy on Maui who had one, I think he caught it. The guy adored it, and the bird could say 'show me the money' or so I was told. It did however sound a lot like the cat.
Cheers,
Jen
California/Hawaii
Aloha,
Jen
California/Hawaii
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I understand from my neighbor (local girl) that you have to cut out their tongue to make them talk.
"Many dreams come true and some have silver linings, I look for my dreams and a pocket full of gold" Led Zeppelin
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free...now here come the taxes.....
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Kahunascott,
You said "I understand from my neighbor (local girl) that you have to cut out their tongue to make them talk."
I think that you mean well to have a sucessful talking bird, but please let the neighbor girl know the truth, yes?  )
I'm really surprised something like that is passed on. This will bring you up to date.
To injure, deliberatly cause an animal pain for something like that is irresponsible. It actually would kill them, since they could not drink without a tongue. It is just a myth, which should absolutely be dropped. They talk with their voice boxes.
So please do the birds a favor and let the kids know the truth, eh? Besides, birds learn to talk best when the teacher is an enthuastic one, whom they like and trust. Just like a kid in school!
Some species of birds have the capability to talk when some do not.
Lucy
Having another Great day in Paradise, Wherever that Maybe!
Edited by - Lucy on 12/20/2007 06:38:02
Lucy
Having another Great day in Paradise, Wherever that Maybe!
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How about a pet chicken? They come in a variety of different colors and if you hatch them out and hand raise them they WANT to be with you (especially when you have food) but they will come see what you are doing anyway. They make all sorts of interesting noises, although they don't make human speech noises unless you count the "old lady mutter" that hens sometimes make. They also lay eggs which is a real plus! One of our hens is about seven years old and still healthy so they last quite a long time.
Another nice bird pet is a turkey - one of the domestic breeds. They aren't really the brightest of birds but they are really sweet.
Otherwise how about making your yard nice for birds to visit? Then you can "have" birds without having to worry about cleaning out their cage.
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
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Hey Les! I'm bringing this forward - wondering if you saw the news:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080314/sc_n...donesia_dc
I thought about ya ]
Carrie
http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.blogspot.com
"Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby's head..." U2
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