Myna birds are known for their intelligence and their unique ability to mimic human speech. Recently, a particularly grumpy-looking myna bird became an online sensation after it unexpectedly flew in front of a traffic camera on a New Zealand highway, grabbing viewers’ attention with its dramatic appearance.
On October 21, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) shared a video of this amusing incident on Facebook, where it quickly went viral. The footage reveals the black-and-yellow myna bird peering into a traffic camera near Auckland, opening its beak in what looks like a fierce squawk, giving viewers a humorous yet slightly intimidating expression. After a short pause, the bird flies away, only to return moments later for another close-up.
NZTA accompanied the video with a playful caption: “Wishing a great week ahead to everyone except this bird brain that needs to myna its own business.” The agency explained that while mynas are entertaining to watch, they’re considered pests in New Zealand because they often disrupt native bird species, destroy nests, and consume native fruits. “This definitely wasn’t a welcome cameo on our cameras,” NZTA joked.
Watch the viral clip:
While the myna’s appearance briefly blocked the camera’s view, NZTA reassured followers that the bird didn’t linger. “We monitor motorways 24 hours a day, seven days a week, though a myna annoyance like this can make the roads a bit tricky to see. Thankfully, the myna didn’t stick around long, and our bird’s eye view of the road was soon restored.”
The video has garnered nearly half a million views, with Facebook users responding enthusiastically.
One user commented, “Looks like this myna had something important to say. It’s giving traffic control a whole new meaning!” Another joked, “I’d say it was auditioning for the role of ‘highway supervisor.’”
Others joined in, with comments like, “Well, that’s one way to get some screen time!” and “Clearly, this bird has had enough of being ignored. It’s here to give us a piece of its mind.”
Another user summed it up, saying, “Nature’s unplanned cameos are always the best part of the internet.”
