Grumpy

The common myna. A native of India and S E Asia, this species was introduced to NZ about the 1870's and is now widespread in the north of the North Island. As a relatively recent migrant myself from the South Island I still find these birds intriguing - a reminder of my earlier days in the tropics. But I know they are generally considered a nuisance or a pest, depriving native birds of food and nesting habitats, and making a mess wherever they go - as this one did, perched on the glass balustrade of our balcony.