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Common Myna with deformed bill

on 1st January 2010

Kwong Wai Chong sent in images of a Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) seen with its partner foraging at the beach. The myna has a cross bills, a deformed condition (above left). The condition has not apparently affected the bird’s feeding ability (above right).

Obviously such a condition is not as rare as it would appear. So far, we have posted cross bill in Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) and Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris).

According to Craves (1994), deformed bills may have the mandibles crossed, either mandible curved upwards or downwards or even elongated. Causes may be genetic, development, injury or disease. And depending on the severity of the deformity, the bird may or may not survive as a result of feeding difficulties.

Natural cross bills are seen in certain finches popularly known as Crossbill (Loxia spp.) of the family Fringillidae. Here, the mandibles may cross either to the left or right. The bill in Crossbills is adapted for opening conifer cones, enabling the bird to get at the seeds.

Reference:
Craves, J.A. 1994. Passerines with deformed bills. North American Bird Bander, 19(1):14-18.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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