Its black crest and yellow bill stand out. It also occurs in city parks and agricultural areas in Hong Kong.
It has black plumage, a crest on the head, a yellow bill and legs, and white patches on the wings.
Experiments on Hainan Island examined how Crested Mynas recognize parasitic eggs and nestlings. Researchers tested differences in size, colour, and pattern. The mynas used size differences as recognition cues, while egg and nestling colour and pattern were not associated with rejection.
Some Crested Mynas delayed rejecting an unfamiliar egg, so longer observation periods revealed responses that an immediate check could miss. The authors recommend extending experiment schedules when testing species with low egg-recognition ability. The study also found that nestling size, as well as egg size, helped birds distinguish unusual young.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
Hainan Island experiments found delayed rejection of unfamiliar eggs by Crested Mynas. Observing nests again after an interval, rather than only immediately after adding an egg, can reduce missed rejection responses.