Bee Choo Strange came across this Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) recently at a bus stop opposite Four Seasons Hotel in Singapore.
The myna had a disfigured bill and Bee Choo wondered how it survives and feed.
Note: Deformed bills are not a rare phenomenon. We have earlier posted such bills in Javan Myna HERE, Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) HERE and Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) HERE.
Birds with such a bill will definitely be at a disadvantage when competing for food. However, when food is readily available, they should be able to survive.
Am
Do we know the possible causes of mutation in these birds?
YC
Mutations can be spontaneous or induced by radiation, environmental pollutants, etc. You can check out this link for beak deformities in birds… http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2013/01/beak-abnormalities-and-deformities-in-birds/
Am
Thanks for the info!