The ‘Chinese Myna’ (White Shouldered Starling) which came as a guest from East China to India was found in Vellayani. Researchers say this is the first reported sighting of the Chinese myna in India. Photographer and bird watcher Ajeesh Saga from Thiruvananthapuram Poonthura Pudukkad found the Chinese Myna in the Vellayani Punchakari field and took the picture.
J. Praveen, a scientist at Bird Count India, said that it is the first time that the White Shouldered Starling has been found in South Asian countries. This bird is found near India in Myanmar. Chinese Myna was expected to be found in the Andaman Islands. This bird is commonly found in eastern China and Vietnam.
Migration is usually to Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. Since the beginning of this month, many migratory birds have reached different parts of Kerala. At present there are 546 species of birds in the state.