Indian mynas
The Indian myna (Acridotheres tristis) is one of the world’s top 100 invasive species. It poses a serious threat to Australian native animals.
Native to Asia and India, it now lives in a large part of coastal and inland south-eastern Queensland. Left uncontrolled, the Indian myna will decimate local populations of many native animal species.
Appearance
- Height: around 25 centimetres.
- Colour: chocolate-brown with black head and neck. Yellow beak, yellow eye patch, yellow feet and legs. White patches on underside of wing, visible when in flight.
- Mobility: Walks or struts, rather than hops.
It is important not to confuse the Indian myna with the Noisy miner (Manorina malanocephala) – a native honeyeater with a grey body.
Indian myna - an invasive bird species.
Noisy miner - a native, protected bird.
Why they are a problem
The Indian myna is an intelligent and aggressive bird. It competes with native wildlife for food, habitat and survival. Indian mynas will:
- evict native animals from nests and nest boxes, including possums, gliders, parrots, lorikeets, rosellas and owls.
- scavenge and out-compete native wildlife for food
- eat the eggs and young of native birds
- spread bird mites and exotic weeds
- damage fruit, vegetable and cereal crops
- nest in roofs and make noise at night in communal roosts near housing areas.
How you can help
Controlling Indian mynas takes a community effort. Here’s how you can help:
- Take part in the local trapping program.
- Limit access to food and waste so that Indian mynas can’t scavenge.
- Landscape your garden with local native plants to give native birds extra habitat.
- Try not to scare them - they are fast learners and we need their trust to trap them.
- Install nesting boxes for local wildlife. Use a baffle or a backward-facing entry, so that small gliders, possums, bats and native birds can access the box. This will also stop Indian myna birds entering.
- Maintain a longer lawn approximately 50 millimetres deep – Indian mynas prefer to feed on a shorter lawn.
Trapping Indian mynas
The Queensland Bird Breeders’ Club (QBBC) lends ‘live’ humane Indian myna traps to residents. Their design makes sure native wildlife are not hurt.
To borrow a trap, please call the QBBC on 0418 186 567.
Learn more about trapping in the Indian myna fact sheet - Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (PDF).
More information
Contact the Queensland Bird Breeder’s Club by email fandkpstaiti@faksptyltd.com.au or phone 0418 186 567.