hill myna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Specialist
Quick answer
What does “hill myna” mean?
A glossy black, talking bird native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its exceptional mimicry of human speech.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A glossy black, talking bird native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its exceptional mimicry of human speech.
Refers specifically to bird species of the genus Gracula, such as the common hill myna (Gracula religiosa), kept as pets for their vocal abilities. The term is sometimes used metaphorically for someone who repeats things without understanding.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. Usage is identical and equally specialist in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral ornithological/avicultural term in both regions. Associated with exotic pet keeping and bird conservation.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and technical in both dialects. More likely encountered in wildlife documentaries, specialist pet forums, or ornithological texts.
Grammar
How to Use “hill myna” in a Sentence
The hill myna [mimics/mimicked/is mimicking] sounds.A hill myna [can/could] learn to speak.They [kept/owned/raised] a hill myna.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in zoology, ornithology, conservation biology, and animal behavior studies.
Everyday
Rare. May be used by bird enthusiasts, pet owners, or in contexts discussing talking birds or exotic pets.
Technical
Standard term in aviculture (bird keeping), wildlife conservation, and taxonomic guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hill myna”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hill myna”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hill myna”
- Misspelling as 'hill mina', 'hill miner', or 'hill mynah'.
- Confusing it with the common myna (Acridotheres tristis), which is a different, less vocal species.
- Using it as a general term for any talking bird (parrots are more typical).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is a different, often urban, species. The hill myna (Gracula religiosa) is a forest-dwelling bird famed for its superior talking ability.
Yes, they are considered one of the best talking birds in the world, often producing clearer human-like speech than many parrot species.
They are native to hill forests and wooded areas of South and Southeast Asia, including parts of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Some subspecies are vulnerable due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade. Their status varies by region.
A glossy black, talking bird native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its exceptional mimicry of human speech.
Hill myna is usually technical/specialist in register.
Hill myna: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɪl ˈmaɪ.nə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɪl ˈmaɪ.nə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare. Potential metaphorical use:] 'He's just a hill myna, repeating what he hears.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bird on a HILL, saying 'MY, NAme is...' as it mimics speech.
Conceptual Metaphor
A HILL MYNA is a RECORDING DEVICE / PARROT (for the speech mimicry aspect).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic for which the hill myna is best known?