The Indian blackbird or maina (Gracula religiosa) is part of the Sturnidae family, belonging to the order of Passerines. It comes from Asia, where in nature it has a rather large distribution area, which extends from the slopes of the Himalayas to Sri-Lanka and the Philippines and from the eastern borders of Pakistan to Indochina. This large area is populated by 32 different species, some are permanent – mainly those that live in tropical areas; others are migratory and prefer the tropics only during the winter periods. In nature it lives about 10 years while in captivity, if well kept, it lives twice as much. Indian blackbirds live in flocks of about twenty specimens always keeping in touch through multiple types of sounds, from shrill whistles to lower and rude tones.
