About the Indian MynaIndian (or Common) Mynas are medium sized brown birds with a black head and yellow feet, eye-patch and bill. They occur naturally in open woodlands from Afghanistan through India to Indochina, and were introduced into Australia in 1862 to control insects in Melbourne market gardens and then Sydney, and from there they were taken to North Queensland to combat cane beetles. The Indian Myna was introduced to the Canberra region in 1968 where they have shown a distinct liking for urban backyards and woodland nature reserves. They are strong competitors with native wildlife for food and nesting hollows and are now well established in almost every suburb in most states.
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Problems Caused |
Indian Mynas are very aggressive and intelligent, and known to evict native birds (including parrots, kookaburras and peewees) from their nests, dumping out their eggs and chasing them from their roosting areas. In urban habitats they are considered a threat to the long-term survival of these birds and other native species such as sugar gliders which depend on tree hollows for survival. They are also suspected to contribute to the spread of certain weed species such as Bitou Bush in other parts of Australia.
Source: www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au The Indian myna is native to Southern Asia from Iran to India and Sri Lanka and was introduced into Australia in the 1860s to control insects, which failed. Indian mynas have now become a major problem along the east coast of Australia from Melbourne to far North Queensland.
The Indian Myna is an aggressive, territorial and highly successful scavenger and are now often the most common bird in cities and towns along the east coast of Australia. They take over nesting hollows from native birds, possums and gliders after harassing and evicting them. They also kill the chicks of other birds or destroy eggs and build their nests on top. Mynas defend several nest sites during the breeding season, although they only use only one to nest in, this excludes native birds and animals from those nesting sites. A breeding pair can raise up to three clutches of young a year, with eight chicks in a clutch. Their numbers can therefore build up rapidly. Source: http://www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/ |
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Impact on Native Animals |
Impact On Humans |
As Indian Myna birds tend to reside in areas where humans live, they have the ability to spread disease by scavenging at outdoor eating areas. They are also known to harass pets in backyards and steal their food. Mynas build large untidy nests, using sticks, straw, feathers and human generated rubbish like scraps of paper and plastic. When Mynas nest in roof cavities they create a breeding ground for disease and bird mites. Bird mites can cause asthma, hay fever, and if bitten, the skin can become inflamed resulting in itchy rashes.
Source: www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au |
Control Measures |
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The Noisy Miner:
"Don't confuse me with the Indian Myna"
The Indian Myna can be identified by their chocolate-brown body, darker head, yellow beak and eye patch.
Indian Mynas share similarities with one of our native birds, the Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala). It is important not to confuse the two as Noisy Miners are a protected species under Australian Law. Attempts to harm or kill these birds are illegal. They have a mostly grey body with a black crown and cheeks and a yellow bill.
The two birds are a similar size and are both known for their aggression toward other birds.
Indian Mynas share similarities with one of our native birds, the Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala). It is important not to confuse the two as Noisy Miners are a protected species under Australian Law. Attempts to harm or kill these birds are illegal. They have a mostly grey body with a black crown and cheeks and a yellow bill.
The two birds are a similar size and are both known for their aggression toward other birds.
Common “Indian” Mynas (pictured left) are an introduced species. They were introduced into the cane fields of north-eastern Queensland in 1883, to combat insect pests, particularly plague locusts and cane beetles. The birds are identified as being brown with a black head. They have a yellow bill, legs and bare eye skin. In flight they show large white wing patches. Indian Mynas are actually the most invasive species in the world! They take over nesting hollows and evict other birds and small mammals, whist preying on nestlings.
On the other hand – Noisy Miners (pictured right) are Aussie native honeyeaters! The Noisy Miner is a bold and curious bird. It is identified by its mostly grey body and black crown and cheeks. The bill is yellow, as are the legs and the bare skin behind the eye. The name is well suited as the common calls are uttered repeatedly by the members of the colony. The Noisy Miner feeds on nectar, fruits and insects. Very occasionally they will eat small reptiles and amphibians. Food is either taken from trees or on the ground. In keeping with its highly social nature, the Noisy Miner usually feeds in large groups. They’re quite feisty and cheeky (and a bit bossy!) but otherwise harmless.
Often the similar yellow patch behind their eyes, and the alike name can confuse gardeners. They are not related in any way – The Indian Myna belongs to the starling family, whereas the Noisy Miner are honeyeaters.
Source: http://austraflora.com/
On the other hand – Noisy Miners (pictured right) are Aussie native honeyeaters! The Noisy Miner is a bold and curious bird. It is identified by its mostly grey body and black crown and cheeks. The bill is yellow, as are the legs and the bare skin behind the eye. The name is well suited as the common calls are uttered repeatedly by the members of the colony. The Noisy Miner feeds on nectar, fruits and insects. Very occasionally they will eat small reptiles and amphibians. Food is either taken from trees or on the ground. In keeping with its highly social nature, the Noisy Miner usually feeds in large groups. They’re quite feisty and cheeky (and a bit bossy!) but otherwise harmless.
Often the similar yellow patch behind their eyes, and the alike name can confuse gardeners. They are not related in any way – The Indian Myna belongs to the starling family, whereas the Noisy Miner are honeyeaters.
Source: http://austraflora.com/