The southern hill myna, French: Mainate indien (Gracula indica ) is a member of the starling family. It is a resident of south India and Sri Lanka. This species has a remarkable vocalization.
The term mainate is probably derived from the Indo-Portuguese mainato, from the name of a songbird living near water, and is probably a metaphor since it refers to a man whose job is to wash the clothes of others.
The southern hill myna has a shiny black plumage. It generally measures about twenty centimeters. It can live between 15 and 30 years. The legs are yellow, the beak is bright orange at the base and yellow at the tip. It has white spots on the primary remiges. Like other species of mainates, the southern hill myna has yellow wattles on the head, but its wattles go up much higher.
It builds a nest in a hole in a tree. They are usually two or three eggs in the nest. Male and female birds look alike.
Although the population is declining it is considered "Least Concern" by the IUCN.
