Rose has asked: What is being done about the mass increase in numbers of common myna birds? There's a marked decrease in the numbers of native birds particularly in west Kempsey /Yarravel and Aldavilla, mostly due to these birds' habit of taking over nest sites and predation of nestlings of other birds.
Common or Indian mynas are an invasive pest species which have colonised the east coast of Australia, from Western Victoria all the way to Cairns, after being introduced in the 1860s to control garden and crop pests.
Mynas threaten native species by taking over nesting hollows from native birds and animals, as well as killing native birds' chicks and destroying their eggs. Mynas also damage crops, orchards and vineyards and eat stock feed.
They are lifelong monogamous and sedentary birds — breeding pairs use the same territory each year and maintain and defend their territory aggressively during the breeding season (August to March) – and a breeding pair can raise up to 24 chicks a year, so their numbers can grow rapidly.
They are particularly comfortable in open areas where there is little tree cover, such as suburban parks and gardens.
So, what can be done to manage the spread of myna birds in your area?
- Minimise the availability of food: The Common Myna is an adaptable, omnivorous scavenger, feeding on fruits, grains, nectar, insects, young birds and eggs, as well as taking food from rubbish.
- Block any holes or entry points into your roof cavity to prevent mynas nesting there, making sure that you don't accidentally imprison a possum, bat or other native animal.
- Avoid planting tall thin trees with dense foliage like pencil pines, which mynas will use for roosting at night.
- Visit the pestSMART website for information on myna management, trapping and euthanasia.
- Record myna activity in MynaScan.
- Macleay Landcare has an excellent how-to guide for people who are interested in trapping myna birds – check out our website for more details: ksc.pub/Common-Mynas
