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This website describes the Common Indian Myna, Acridotheres tristis, explains why it is a problem, and what is being done to control it.

Topics

Identification: Mynas and Miners. How to tell the Common Indian Myna from the Noisy Miner, an Australian native bird. Miners were named after mynas because they looked alike to European settlers. The name myna comes from the Hindi maina.

Why are mynas a problem? In eastern Australia feral mynas have become a major urban nuisance, pose potential health risks to humans and livestock and have serious, negative impacts on biodiversity. Mynas are listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the World’s 100 Worst Invasive Species.

Are Mynas Spreading? Maps of the distribution of mynas in eastern Australia and estimates of their numbers in the Australian Capital Territory. A pair of mynas recently reached Tasmania by ferry and another bird travelled to Perth on a truck.

Is it possible to Minimise Mynas? Describes options for controlling mynas, a species-specific, selective trap and the results of a pilot trial to minimise mynas in Canberra in 2002-3. Poisoning is not a good way to get rid of mynas because of the serious risks to non-target wildlife and domestic animals.

Trapping Mynas. Mynas are intelligent and wary birds, with excellent communication. They learn quickly to avoid threatening situations through their own experience and by observing others. Free-feeding and no harassment are essential for successful trapping. Plans for traps.

Disposal: Killing Mynas Safely and Humanely. Mynas in Australia are feral animals that can be legally destroyed, but are protected by law from cruelty. This page describes how trapped mynas are humanely killed by a method that is considered to be humane by animal welfare organizations around the world.

Monitoring Mynas. If you intend to minimise mynas you need to monitor myna numbers, before and after trapping to know if you have succeeded. Describes two simple, but reliable methods of estimating myna numbers.

Great Nest Box Project. The ANU Great Nest Box project is giving away free nesting boxes to approved homes.

 
More Information? This website contains all the information we have on mynas at present. New information is made available as it comes to hand. We value your interest but advise that, due to limited resources, it is not possible for us to respond to all queries individually.

  Copyright (c) 1998- The Australian National University
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Date Last Modified: Nov, 2009
Author: Dr Chris Tidemann, ANU Fenner School

Website designed by Andrew Wong
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