Indian myna Acridotheres tristis EMERGING INVASIVE SPECIES

NOT WANTED Prompt action is vital

in Tasmania Indian mynas are now well established in eastern Australia Indian mynas are a and continue to spread serious pest in throughout the country. Tasmania does not currently Australia and are have an established population

considered one of Indian mynas.

of the world's 100 worst Since 2003, there have been six confirmed incursions of Indian invasive species. mynas in Tasmania. In each case, DPIPWE has responded and successfully removed the

birds. Image: Chris Tzaros History of a pest What can we do? Natural range: Indian mynas Acridotheres tristis are Asia highly invasive birds that can Biosecurity Tasmania will Middle East rapidly colonise new areas. First respond to Indian myna India introduced to Melbourne in the incursions to prevent 1860s, mynas are now found along establishment of this invasive Risk to Tasmania: the east coast of Australia from species in Tasmania. Extreme Victoria to Queensland. The Tasmanian public Main impacts: Indian mynas are highly should be on high alert Native wildlife (esp. native birds) aggressive and pose a threat to for this species and Agriculture wildlife, particularly birds, by report all sightings. Spread disease competing for food and nesting Public nuisance resources. They can also damage Early detection to allow rapid horticultural and cereal crops, response to incursions is vital. Status: spread weeds and be a public Indian mynas are a restricted nuisance by nesting in building animal under the Nature cavities, causing noise at roosting Conservation Act 2002 sites, swooping people and transmitting bird mites. Invasive Species Enquiries Importation is prohibited in Tasmania Indian mynas have been identified (03) 6165 3777 as an extreme threat to most Australian states.

Biosecurity Tasmania Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

What to look for

Key identifying features Indian mynas can be  Chocolate-brown body identified by their brown body and  Black hood over head white in the wing.  White lines on the wing that appear as large white patches in flight

Indian mynas are around 25 cm

long, 15 cm tall and have a wing- span of up to 14 cm. They have

chocolate-brown bodies, a black head, and white patches on their wings that are obvious Indian myna Image: Peter West when in flight. Indian mynas have yellow skin behind and below the eye.

Indian mynas will often scavenge The native noisy miner on the ground and have a has a grey body and jaunty, strutting walk. no white in the wing.

Mistaken identity

The Tasmanian native noisy miner Manorina melanocephala can be mistaken for the Indian myna. The noisy miner has a grey body (rather than brown) and it has no white in the wing. The noisy miner has a black stripe on the head and a much smaller yellow patch behind the eye (not extending below it). When on the ground, noisy miners hop rather than walk. Confirmed Indian myna incursions in Tasmania since 2004 (five in Devonport, one in Launceston)

Sourced from DPIPWE on 15 April 2013

Get involved and help protect Tasmania

Look out for Indian mynas, especially at shipping ports and airports

Learn to distinguish Indian mynas from the native noisy miner Be on high alert for this species and report all sightings in Tasmania to Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777

Biosecurity Tasmania  (03) 6165 3777 : [email protected] : www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity Website Facebook