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Post by Teddy Regpala on Jun 17, 2008 16:58:05 GMT
I tried the search, but came out with nothing, so ...
There's a black bird I'm so fond of growing up.
Every summer, I go to the province and visit and stay with relatives (the last time being was the summer after my 2nd year of college).
I specifically go to Aparri (father side), and the different towns surrounding Ballesteros, Cagayan (mother and father side).
They have this black bird, with a visible white spot on the wings when spread out.
It's fairly common (or at least used to), and can see one flying overhead at least once a day.
They train this bird to actually talk like a parrot.
They occassionally trim the tongue while on training, with the belief that when it grows back it will be more flexible thus can "properly" speak.
They call it Martines.
Has anyone heard about this bird? What is it actually called?
I used to own one. I think my grandma bought me one from a willing owner, and I brought it back to Manila.
I had it for several years, but it never learned how to speak. Being a kid then, I don't know and don't have the skills to teach the poor bird. It might have died of old age.
Any information about this amazing bird will be highly appreciated.
Thanks.
Ted
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Post by Neon Rosell II on Jun 17, 2008 17:56:32 GMT
I tried the search, but came out with nothing, so ... There's a black bird I'm so fond of growing up. Every summer, I go to the province and visit and stay with relatives (the last time being was the summer after my 2nd year of college). I specifically go to Aparri (father side), and the different towns surrounding Ballesteros, Cagayan (mother and father side). They have this black bird, with a visible white spot on the wings when spread out. It's fairly common (or at least used to), and can see one flying overhead at least once a day. They train this bird to actually talk like a parrot. They occassionally trim the tongue while on training, with the belief that when it grows back it will be more flexible thus can "properly" speak. They call it Martines. Has anyone heard about this bird? What is it actually called? I used to own one. I think my grandma bought me one from a willing owner, and I brought it back to Manila. I had it for several years, but it never learned how to speak. Being a kid then, I don't know and don't have the skills to teach the poor bird. It might have died of old age. Any information about this amazing bird will be highly appreciated. Thanks. Ted Hi Ted, The birds you are talking about are the Mynas we have two species that can be found in the Philippines: The Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa which ranges in Palawan and the Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus an introduced species, can be found in almost all the island. The Common Hill Myna is the one that can be trained to talk while the Crested Myna is said to be able to talk as well but I have never ever encounter one that does. The Common Myna is threatened by the pet trade and habitat destruction. So, the one that's ranging in your place is the Crested Myna. There's no truth to clipping the tongue would make it speak properly. The Hill Myna can talk better than a parrot and can imitate other animal sounds it hears often, like dogs and cats. |
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Post by Teddy Regpala on Jun 17, 2008 18:26:23 GMT
Oh cool Neon. Do we have this on the list?
Will go searching for it ...
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Post by Neon Rosell II on Jun 17, 2008 18:30:02 GMT
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Post by Teddy Regpala on Jun 17, 2008 20:53:08 GMT
Of all the Mynas, the crested myna is the closest to my recollection of the bird. But I can't really recall the "crest" (or maybe I just ignored it then).
The trainers used to clip their wings, so it won't fly away. But once it's a pet or tamed, it won't leave. And it's amazing how it mimics human voice.
Now I know what it is.
Thanks.
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Post by Eric Patdu on Jun 18, 2008 0:59:00 GMT
Hello Ted, The black bird with a white wing spot that people believed can talk is the Crested Myna. It is locally called Martinez in Luzon. Like Neon, I have yet to hear a Martinez talk. They don't actually clip the tongue. They just remove the "plastic"-like covering on its tongue. It is now very common around Metro Manila. It's very easy to identify because of its white wing spot. It always reminds me of the Japanese zero plane I see in the movies.  |
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Post by Teddy Regpala on Jun 18, 2008 4:04:20 GMT
Hey Eric, your in NJ? Where specifically? I used to know someone from NJ named Eric P.
The thing about the martinez is you really have to pet it, and play with it everyday, until there's trust and a bond.
Once it trusts you as his rightful owner, he'll then mimic everything you say.
I heard some talk, some really good. Maybe in the rural areas like the remote provinces, there's not much to do. So they have all time they need to train the bird. ;D
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Post by Eric Patdu on Jun 19, 2008 19:44:25 GMT
Hello Ted, I'm in Roselle, NJ. Just arrived in the US March this year so I guess I'm not the Eric P you know.  Anyway, I'm also a member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines as some of the members of this forum are. Been planning to join the local Audubon group but my schedule doesn't permit me at the moment. |
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Post by Joel Espineli on Jul 20, 2008 11:38:54 GMT
Guys, I was on my photo walk to town last weekend and I saw this peddler selling Martines and Culasisi birds. Pardon me for not identifying these birds with their scientific names as I notice you do, I still have a long way to go, hope you can bear with me. Ted, just advise when you're going to Manila and I'll hunt him down again to get you a pair... hey,  is this allowed here..? hehe... When I was a kid, I also have a pet Martines. And yes my Dad would trim the tip of its tongue every Friday. He said it will help the bird to learn how to talk. I think the Friday thing is more of a ritual. But one sad weekend, when my Dad was out of town, my Mom voluntered to do that ritual. Well, I guess she cut more than the tip of the Martines' tongue, cause the following morning, I have a stiff dead bird in the cage...  |
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Post by Eric Patdu on Jul 20, 2008 16:53:23 GMT
....Pardon me for not identifying these birds with their scientific names as I notice you do, I still have a long way to go, hope you can bear with me. No problem. We all started like you. If you still don't have the book "A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines" by Kennedy, better get one because that book is becoming rare. ....Ted, just advise when you're going to Manila and I'll hunt him down again to get you a pair... hey, is this allowed here..? hehe... Definitely, not allowed and very taboo.  |
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Post by Joel Espineli on Jul 20, 2008 17:07:59 GMT
....Ted, just advise when you're going to Manila and I'll hunt him down again to get you a pair... hey, is this allowed here..? hehe... Definitely, not allowed and very taboo. Owwraayyt... sorry guys. I'll go and find that book this week Eric, thanks... |
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Post by Eric Patdu on Jul 21, 2008 1:35:17 GMT
Hehehe..... no problem Joel. By the way, if you can't find the book locally, I believe it is still available online at Amazon. |
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Post by Joel Espineli on Jul 21, 2008 2:27:31 GMT
Thanks again Eric. |
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, AFS 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G , TC 1.4EII, TC 1.7EII, SB-800, Manfrotto 190CXPro3/393(3421), RRS BH-55, Kirk NC300 lens collar
is this allowed here..? 
