Indian or Common Myna

Description:

This is a fledgling bird. Medium sized bird, dark chocolate brown blended with black on body and head, wings, tail, white markings on wings more visible in flight, underparts lighter brown, yellow eye ring/patch and beak, legs yellow. Feeds on insects, fruit and occassionally dog and cat food if accessible. Aggressive birds especially around breeding time, they displace native birds of all sizes, take over nesting, roosting and feeding resources, and although sometimes useful insect pest exterminators they cause damage to crops and fruit, become a nuisance when building in sheds or houses, and can invade in large numbers to become the only wildlife visible on properties. They will take fledglings of other birds from nests, scare off adults nesting and steal eggs. The call is melodious, but easily recognisable. Mynas also mimic other birds, and have been known to mimic human voices and other sounds.

Habitat:

Found in various pockets and areas along east coast Australia, introduced into Australia from Europe in the middle of the 19th century, progressivly moving inland and further along coastal farmland areas. It's march is relentless and at this time of year when fldglings are leaving nests groups of two suddenly appear as groups of a dozen or more.

Notes:

This area is one of many involved in eradication programs for Indian or Common Mynas. The advancement of groups andnindividuals is difficult to control as not many people take up the opportunity to utise special traps or control programs offered by councils or organisations, and some birds also become 'trap-wise', avoiding capture, others also become very wary and alert to the slightest human movement so are difficult to approach. Eradicated 33 from this property alone in one month, over 6,000 for the whole district in several months.