Indian Myna Control
Tweed Catch Count
Since August 2008
as at 30 April 2013
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Indian Mynas Caught by volunteer
members of the community
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The Indian Myna
Tweed's new (and very
unwelcome) resident
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The Indian Myna (also known as the Common Myna or House Myna) were first recorded in Tweed Shire in 2002. Since that time, local populations of this feral bird have grown at an increasingly rapid rate.
Throughout its native and introduced range, the distribution of Indian Mynas is closely linked to that of human distribution. They thrive in habitat that has been created by humans, such as urban, industrial and agricultural areas and areas of open woodland.
Indian Mynas are a serious threat to the survival of our native wildlife as they are a hollow-nesting species. During the nesting season, they become very aggressive and take over hollows that would have been used by our hollow-dependant species, such as lorikeets and rosellas, kookaburras and sugar gliders. If a hollow is already occupied, they will evict whoever is in there, even animals as big as possums.
Tweed Shire Council is working to implement an Indian Myna control program. The program is jointly funded by Tweed Shire Council and the NSW State Government's Environmental Trust, and has four main components:
- raising public awareness that Indian Mynas are a serious environmental and health threat, and that we all need to be involved in controlling this species;
- supporting the community to undertake a humane reduction program;
- networking with other councils to increase the level of Indian Myna control that is happening in other areas; and
- monitoring the success of the program.
For the Indian Myna control program to be successful we need a high level of community involvement. The problem is too big for any one person, or group of people, to tackle.
With a concerted, coordinated and sustained effort, the control program aims to have a significant impact on reducing the Indian Myna population in the region, and therefore give our native birds and small mammals a fighting chance of survival into the future.
If you are interested in becoming involved in controlling Indian Mynas contact Pamela Gray, Tweed Shire Councils Invasive Species Control Officer on 02 6670 2778
Indian Mynas, Introduced Pests vs. Noisy Miners, Local Native Honeyeaters
Indian Mynas are often confused with the native honeyeater Noisy Miner because they have similar behaviour. If you are unsure which you are seeing in your neighbourhood or property, [ click here ] to check the differences.
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