DOCSLIB.ORG

The Noisy Native: a Miner Menace? Noisy Miner Habitat Preferences and Influence on Woodland Bird Species Richness

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Noisy Native: a Miner Menace? Noisy Miner Habitat Preferences and Influence on Woodland Bird Species Richness The noisy native: a miner menace? Noisy miner habitat preferences and influence on woodland bird species richness Sarah Chubb Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours in the Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University November 2011 ii Candidate's Declaration This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university. To the best of the author’s knowledge, it contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the text. Sarah Constance Chubb Date Sarah Chubb The noisy native: a miner menace? iii Acknowledgements This project has let me immerse myself in a topic that I have been passionate about – and I have come out of it thoroughly inspired. My inspiration has largely come from the people who have supported and nurtured my learning experiences, without whom this project would not have been possible! To my supervisors, Chris McElhinny and Julian Reid, many thanks for all of your guidance and support over the past 9 months. You have helped me to shape my research, and thesis, and have provided me with the encouragement and enthusiasm that helped me to sustain my interest (and energy) throughout the year. Thank-you Chris, for being such a wonderful teacher over the past 3 years. You are an inspiration to me. Without the support and funding of the Cowra Woodland Birds Program, this project could not have happened. John and Madeline Rankin, Neale and Janeen Coutanche, Malcolm Fyfe, Maret Vesk and Rosemary Stapleton have been so encouraging and made me feel so welcome in Cowra. The success of this Program is owed to the efforts of the survey volunteers and the willingness of the landholders to let the CWBP survey on their property. The ANU has generously provided funding through the Action Trust scholarship. To my fieldwork partner, Isabela ‘old man’ Burgher, for the picturesque picnics, your love of driving and your singing. You have made many a long day in the field fun and enjoyable. Sam and Clair Johnson and Catherine Bennett have been enormously generous, providing us with not only a bed, but a home while Isabela and I were in the field. The Fenner School staff, particularly Matt Brookhouse, Field Services, the IT gurus and administration, has been tremendously supportive. Assistance from family and friends, especially my dad, in improving my thesis through hours of proof reading and discussions has been astounding. I am very grateful to mum, an amazing cook and enough of a sucker to get coerced into helping out with fieldwork. To my honours cohort, for the love, laughs, smiles, ciders, cakes and tea breaks. I couldn’t have chosen a better group of people to spend this year with. Thanks to the mothers of the honours room for the amazing food, and to those who kept it ‘manly’. Mark, thanks for your love and support over the past year, I’m looking forward to seeing you a bit more now! Sarah Chubb The noisy native: a miner menace? iv Abstract Through its aggressive, competitive behaviour, the noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala) may be excluding woodland birds from remnant vegetation. This process exacerbates declines in bird populations already threatened by landscape modification. The aims of this study were to understand how the noisy miner affects woodland bird species, and to quantify its habitat preferences to inform effective management strategies. These aims were addressed using the following research questions: 1. Does noisy miner presence and/or abundance affect bird species richness? - Which bird species are more susceptible to the effects of noisy miner invasion? - Is there a density threshold where their effect is more pronounced? 2. Is noisy miner abundance affected by landscape and/or patch-scale variables? - Which variables are the most powerful in explaining noisy miner abundance? This research was conducted in 2011 at 33 temperate box-gum woodland sites in the Cowra Shire of New South Wales, in conjunction with the Cowra Woodland Birds Program, which has collected bird data since 2002. These data were augmented by detailed landscape and patch scale habitat data as part of the current project. Noisy miner impacts on five different categories of bird species richness (Total birds, Woodland birds, Small woodland birds, Threatened and declining birds and Non-woodland birds) were analysed using correlation and analysis of variance with categorical values of noisy miner abundance. This was followed by a more detailed generalised linear model with a Poisson distribution and a log link function, using continuous values of noisy miner abundance. Habitat preferences of the noisy miner were identified using correlation analysis and analysis of variance, followed by a more detailed multivariate least squares regression model in which average noisy miner abundance, a continuous dependent variable, was modeled in terms of multiple habitat parameters. Results of this analysis suggest that noisy miners had a highly significant (p<0.0005) negative affect on all bird categories except non-woodland birds. Small woodland birds showed the most significant effects (p<0.0001), with highest species richness in sites where noisy miners were never present, moderate richness in low and moderate noisy miner sites and very low richness in high noisy miner sites. Generalised linear modelling indicated that the presence of just one noisy miner reduced small woodland bird species richness by 40%. In the Cowra region, it appears that persistent noisy miner presence at a site, even at very low levels, is a strong predictor of the richness of small woodland birds that will be present at that site. Noisy miner abundance responded negatively to both landscape and patch scale habitat variables. A multivariate least squares regression indicated that 50% of variance in noisy miner abundance could be explained using the parameters of patch area, Callitris regeneration and the density of hollow trees, all of which reduced noisy miner abundance. Individually, the Sarah Chubb The noisy native: a miner menace? v landscape variables of patch area and vegetation cover were the strongest predictors of noisy miner abundance. Patches greater than 30 ha in size or with more than 20% vegetation cover in the surrounding regions had lowest noisy miner abundance. Many of the findings in this study, are comparable with other studies in temperate woodlands of south eastern Australia, and can be used to inform management practices. These include: - Maintaining or increasing woody vegetation surrounding patches because low vegetation cover is associated with high noisy miner abundance. - Protecting sites with an intact understorey from modification and degradation. - Revegetation and restoration efforts in sites with naturally low Eucalyptus occurrence should avoid increasing eucalypt species density, as this may attract the noisy miner. Rather, species used in revegetation should be selected on a site- specific basis. - Directing revegetation and restoration activities at habitat features that deter patch utilisation by noisy miners, such as a dense understorey of Callitris or Eucalyptus regeneration. Many of these outcomes can be achieved through tree planting or appropriate grazing and fire regimes, indicating astute management at patch and landscape levels could assist in reversing further declines in the woodland bird communities of south eastern Australia; particularly those due to the aggressive behaviour of the noisy miner. Sarah Chubb The noisy native: a miner menace? vi Table of Contents Candidate's Declaration ..................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................ viii List of Tables ................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction ..................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Native invasive species ........................................................................................... 4 1.2 Woodland bird declines in south eastern Australia ................................................. 5 1.3 Research Aims ........................................................................................................ 5 1.4 Thesis Structure ....................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................ 8 2.1 Invasive species: the Australian perspective ........................................................... 8 2.2 The noisy miner ....................................................................................................... 9 2.3 How does the noisy miner affect woodland birds? ............................................... 10 2.3.1 Which birds are most
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Member for Wakefield South Australia
    Conference delegates 2016 *Asterisks identify the recipients of the 2016 Crawford Fund Conference Scholarships ACHITEI, Simona Scope Global ALDERS, Robyn The University of Sydney ANDERSON AO, John The Crawford Fund NSW ANDREW AO, Neil Murray-Darling Basin Authority ANGUS, John CSIRO Agriculture *ARIF, Shumaila Charles Sturt University ARMSTRONG, Tristan Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade ASH, Gavin University of Southern Queensland ASTORGA, Miriam Western Sydney University AUGUSTIN, Mary Ann CSIRO *BAHAR, Nur The Australian National University BAILLIE, Craig The National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture (NCEA), University of Southern Queensland *BAJWA, Ali School of Agriculture & Food Sciences, The University of Queensland BARLASS, Martin Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre BASFORD, Kaye The Crawford Fund *BEER, Sally University of New England, NSW *BENYAM, Addisalem Central Queensland University BERRY, Sarah James Cook University / CSIRO *BEST, Talitha Central Queensland University BIE, Elizabeth Australian Government Department of Agriculture & Water Resources BISHOP, Joshua WWF-Australia BLACKALl, Patrick The University of Queensland *BLAKE, Sara South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI), Primary Industries & Regions South Australia BLIGHT AO, Denis The Crawford Fund *BONIS-PROFUMO, Gianna Charles Darwin University BOREVITZ, Justin The Australian National University BOYD, David The University of Sydney BRASSIL, Semih Western Sydney University BROGAN, Abigail Australian Centre
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Intense Nest Predation in the Decline of Scarlet Robins and Eastern Yellow Robins in Remnant Woodland Near Armidale, New South Wales
    The role of intense nest predation in the decline of Scarlet Robins and Eastern Yellow Robins in remnant woodland near Armidale, New South Wales S. J. S. DEBDSI A study of open-nesting Eastern Yellow Robins Eopsaltria australis and Scarlet Robins Petroica multicolor, on the New England Tablelands of New South Wales in 2000-02, found Iow breeding success typical of eucalypt woodland birds. The role of intense nest predation in the loss of birds from woodland fragments was investigated by means of predator-exclusion cages at robin nests, culling of Pied Currawongs Strepera graculina, and monitoring of fledging and recruitment in the robins. Nest-cages significantly improved nest success (86% vs 20%) and fledging rate (1.6 vs 0.3 fledglings per attempt) for both robin species combined (n = 7 caged, 20 uncaged). For both robin species combined, culling of currawongs produced a twofold difference in nest success (33% vs 14%), a higher fledging rate (0.5 vs 0.3 per attempt), and a five-day difference in mean nest survival (18 vs 13 days) (n = 62 nests), although sample sizes for nests in the cull treatment (n = 18) were small and nest predation continued. Although the robin breeding population had not increased one year after the cull, the pool of Yellow Robin recruits in 2001-03, after enhanced fledging success, produced two emigrants to a patch where Yellow Robins had become extinct. Management to assist the conservation of open-nesting woodland birds should address control of currawongs. Key words: Woodland birds, Habitat fragmentation, Nest predation, Predator exclusion, Predator removal.
    [Show full text]
  • NOT WANTED in Tasmania Indian Mynas Are a Serious Pest In
    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.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Birds in Tilligerry Habitat
    Common Birds in Tilligerry Habitat Dedicated bird enthusiasts have kindly contributed to this sequence of 106 bird species spotted in the habitat over the last few years Kookaburra Red-browed Finch Black-faced Cuckoo- shrike Magpie-lark Tawny Frogmouth Noisy Miner Spotted Dove [1] Crested Pigeon Australian Raven Olive-backed Oriole Whistling Kite Grey Butcherbird Pied Butcherbird Australian Magpie Noisy Friarbird Galah Long-billed Corella Eastern Rosella Yellow-tailed black Rainbow Lorikeet Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Cockatoo Tawny Frogmouth c Noeline Karlson [1] ( ) Common Birds in Tilligerry Habitat Variegated Fairy- Yellow Faced Superb Fairy-wren White Cheeked Scarlet Honeyeater Blue-faced Honeyeater wren Honeyeater Honeyeater White-throated Brown Gerygone Brown Thornbill Yellow Thornbill Eastern Yellow Robin Silvereye Gerygone White-browed Eastern Spinebill [2] Spotted Pardalote Grey Fantail Little Wattlebird Red Wattlebird Scrubwren Willie Wagtail Eastern Whipbird Welcome Swallow Leaden Flycatcher Golden Whistler Rufous Whistler Eastern Spinebill c Noeline Karlson [2] ( ) Common Sea and shore birds Silver Gull White-necked Heron Little Black Australian White Ibis Masked Lapwing Crested Tern Cormorant Little Pied Cormorant White-bellied Sea-Eagle [3] Pelican White-faced Heron Uncommon Sea and shore birds Caspian Tern Pied Cormorant White-necked Heron Great Egret Little Egret Great Cormorant Striated Heron Intermediate Egret [3] White-bellied Sea-Eagle (c) Noeline Karlson Uncommon Birds in Tilligerry Habitat Grey Goshawk Australian Hobby
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2006-2007: Part 2 – Overview
    24 international broadcasting then... The opening transmission of Radio Australia in December 1939, known then as “Australia Calling”. “Australia Calling… Australia Calling”, diminishing series of transmission “hops” announced the clipped voice of John Royal around the globe. For decades to come, through the crackle of shortwave radio. It was listeners would tune their receivers in the a few days before Christmas 1939. Overseas early morning and dusk and again at night broadcasting station VLQ 2—V-for-victory, to receive the clearest signals. Even then, L-for-liberty, Q-for-quality—had come alive signal strength lifted and fell repeatedly, to the impending terror of World War II. amid the atmospheric hash. The forerunner of Radio Australia broadcast Australia Calling/Radio Australia based itself in those European languages that were still in Melbourne well south of the wartime widely used throughout South-East Asia at “Brisbane Line” and safe from possible the end of in the colonial age—German, Dutch, Japanese invasion. Even today, one of Radio French, Spanish and English. Australia’s principal transmitter stations is located in the Victorian city of Shepparton. Transmission signals leapt to the ionosphere —a layer of electro-magnetic particles By 1955, ABC Chairman Sir Richard Boyer surrounding the planet—before reflecting summed up the Radio Australia achievement: down to earth and bouncing up again in a “We have sought to tell the story of this section 2 25 country with due pride in our achievements international broadcasting with Australia and way of life, but without ignoring the Television. Neither the ABC nor, later, differences and divisions which are inevitable commercial owners of the service could in and indeed the proof of a free country”.
    [Show full text]
  • Birding Oxley Creek Common Brisbane, Australia
    Birding Oxley Creek Common Brisbane, Australia Hugh Possingham and Mat Gilfedder – January 2011 [email protected] www.ecology.uq.edu.au 3379 9388 (h) Other photos, records and comments contributed by: Cathy Gilfedder, Mike Bennett, David Niland, Mark Roberts, Pete Kyne, Conrad Hoskin, Chris Sanderson, Angela Wardell-Johnson, Denis Mollison. This guide provides information about the birds, and how to bird on, Oxley Creek Common. This is a public park (access restricted to the yellow parts of the map, page 6). Over 185 species have been recorded on Oxley Creek Common in the last 83 years, making it one of the best birding spots in Brisbane. This guide is complimented by a full annotated list of the species seen in, or from, the Common. How to get there Oxley Creek Common is in the suburb of Rocklea and is well signposted from Sherwood Road. If approaching from the east (Ipswich Road side), pass the Rocklea Markets and turn left before the bridge crossing Oxley Creek. If approaching from the west (Sherwood side) turn right about 100 m after the bridge over Oxley Creek. The gate is always open. Amenities The main development at Oxley Creek Common is the Red Shed, which is beside the car park (plenty of space). The Red Shed has toilets (composting), water, covered seating, and BBQ facilities. The toilets close about 8pm and open very early. The paths are flat, wide and easy to walk or cycle. When to arrive The diversity of waterbirds is a feature of the Common and these can be good at any time of the day.
    [Show full text]
  • Victorian Pardalotes 153 1961
    December J CHANDLER, Victorian Pardalotes 153 1961 - evident. Although Jacking the black and gold of the male, the female Regent bird is extremely handsome. On one occasion I watched her and the immature birds feeding on the flowers of a clump of pencil-orchids which were growing on a Satin-ash. Within ten minutes they had stripped every bloom from about 30 or 40 orchids. Another highlight of this year's Noosa holiday was the sighting, again in the company of Barbara and Arthur Salter, of a pair of Beach Stone-curlews ( Orthorhamphus magnirostris) on the island just inside the mouth of the Noosa River. There is little doubt that this would be the pair sighted during the 1958 R .A.O .U. Camp-out and which had their egg washed away by a king-tide. They were again seen in the same place on the island but there was little sign of nesting activity; probably it was too early. Some excellent views of the birds were obtained and the most noticeable points were the large size, the heavy bill, the eye-streak and bar on the wing and the bobbing motion when agitated. When first seen the birds reminded me strongly of a small bustard in gait and general appearance. Since the submission of this paper, advice has been received from Mrs. Essie Green, that a Noisy Pitta in Noosa National Park had been killed by a cat. This bird was probably the " tame" one observed by Mr. Peddie. It is to be hoped that its mate will manage to find another partner, or the Noisy Pitta may indeed disappear from this delightful Park.
    [Show full text]
  • WACOBU Newsletters
    WACOBU P.O. Box 1092 WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650 WACOBU News Newsletter from the Wagga Agricultural College Old Boys Union JUNE 2010 John Harper - wins Pride of Australia medal See page 3 HAVING A LAUGH: pictured are Scott Cam, John Harper and country music singer James Blundell Photo courtesy of Cootamundra Herald WACOBU newsletters: http://news.csu.edu.au/alumni/director/publications/wacobu_newsletter.cfm WAC Rugby - www.agrugby.rugbynet.com. WACOBU COMMITTEE MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR PRESIDENT Stuart Kanaley (‘ 79–‘82) In this newsletter there are articles and news that reflect the Tel: 069242400 strong traditions of Wagga Agricultural College, the tremendous [email protected] achievements of many Old Boys, the bonds of friendship that exist between former students and and the importance of rugby and VICE PRESIDENT sport in general to the College. Warwick Nightingale (‘ 92–‘ 94) Tel: 0458 273 188 For many Old Boys, their achievements in life are great but [email protected] John Harper (better known as China) from the class of 1974, has received some well deserved recognition for his outstanding work SECRETARY in his “Mate helping Mate” program. James Brady (‘94–‘ 97) The program which helps people recognise and deal with Tel. 69245287 depression in the farming community came from China’s personal [email protected] experiences in dealing with the prolonged drought on his farm. TREASURER John took the view that he could help others in his own Ros Prangnell (‘ 75–’ 77) community deal with depression as farmers struggled to cope Tel. 69331260 with the drought and the impact and toll it took on individual [email protected] farmers, their families and whole rural communities.
    [Show full text]
  • National Recovery Plan for the Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera Phrygia)
    National Recovery Plan for the Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) April 2016 1 The Species Profile and Threats Database pages linked to this recovery plan is obtainable from: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia, 2016. The National Recovery Plan for the Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) is licensed by the Commonwealth of Australia for use under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence with the exception of the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, the logo of the agency responsible for publishing the report, content supplied by third parties, and any images depicting people. For licence conditions see: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. This report should be attributed as ‘National Recovery Plan for the Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia), Commonwealth of Australia 2016’. The Commonwealth of Australia has made all reasonable efforts to identify content supplied by third parties using the following format ‘© Copyright, [name of third party] ’. Disclaimer While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are factually correct, the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of this publication. Image credits Front Cover: Regent honeyeaters in the Capertee Valley, NSW. (© Copyright, Dean Ingwersen). 2
    [Show full text]
  • Listing and Sitting Arrangements, Nsw Local Court
    LISTING AND SITTING ARRANGEMENTS, NSW LOCAL COURT Listing and sitting arrangements of the NSW Local Court Click on the links below to find the listing and sitting arrangements for each court. CHAMBER DAYS – Please note that Chamber Days have been cancelled from August 2020 to March 2021 to allow for the listing of defended work Albion Park Broken Hill Deniliquin Albury Burwood Downing Centre Armidale Byron Bay Dubbo Assessors - Small Claims Camden Dunedoo Ballina Campbelltown Dungog Bankstown Campbelltown Children's Eden Batemans Bay Casino Fairfield Bathurst Central Finley Bega Cessnock Forbes Bellingen Cobar Forster Belmont Coffs Harbour Gilgandra Bidura Children's Court Commonwealth Matters - Glen Innes (Glebe) (see Surry Hills see Downing Centre Gloucester Children’s Court) Condobolin Gosford Blayney Cooma Goulburn Blacktown Coonabarabran Grafton Boggabilla Coonamble Grenfell Bombala Cootamundra Griffith Bourke Corowa Gulgong Brewarrina Cowra Broadmeadow Children's Gundagai Crookwell Court Circuits Gunnedah 1 LISTING AND SITTING ARRANGEMENTS, NSW LOCAL COURT Hay Manly Nyngan Hillston Mid North Coast Children’s Oberon Court Circuit Holbrook Orange Milton Hornsby Parkes Moama Hunter Children’s Court Parramatta Circuit Moree Parramatta Children’s Court Illawarra Children's Court Moruya Peak Hill (Nowra, Pt. Kembla, Moss Moss Vale Vale and Goulburn) Penrith Mt Druitt Inverell Picton Moulamein Junee Port Kembla Mudgee Katoomba Port Macquarie Mullumbimby Kempsey Queanbeyan Mungindi Kiama Quirindi Murrurundi Kurri Kurri Raymond Terrace Murwillumbah
    [Show full text]
  • Download Complete
    Subscribe Past Issues Translate RSS Newsletter of the Australian Bird Study Association View this email in your browser HOME ABOUT ABSA OUR HISTORY CONTACT US NEWSLETTER 130 Share Tweet Forward Editor: Stein Boddington ISSN 2202-297X (Online) <[email protected]> December 2017 C o n t e n t s 2018 Conference and Annual General Meeting Fund for Avaian Research - call for applications Bird in the Hand Uploads Renewal of Memberships Birdfair 2017 Trip Report - Herdsman Lake, WA Trip Report - Ungarie, NSW, 15 October 2017 Trip Report - Charcoal Tank Trip-Report - Weddin Mountains National Park Call for Action on Christmas Island E d i t o r i a l Book the date - ABSA’s Conference and AGM will be held on Saturday March 17th, at Yarramundi Conference Centre in Western Sydney. Details will be passed on as they become available. Great fun was had picking The Guardian’s Australian Bird of the Year. In the end, the Magpie just pipped the inglorious ‘bin-chicken’ aka the Australian White Ibis, for first place. Why did so many vote for the White Ibis? Was it the inner city people who only ever notice a bird when it lands in their smashed avo? Is there something funny about the readership of The Guardian? Or is there a genuine affection for this brash intruder into our cities? Yours truly was one of seven people who voted for the Rufous Fantail - I bet all of them have had this exquisite bird in their hand. Jenny Macklin and Benjamin Law got a vote each, as did Big Bird, the Australian Raincheck, the Dodo, the Kentucky Fried Chicken, Ozzie Ostrich and Plucka Duck, and a host of mis-spellings, of which the Wondering Albatross stands out! Many thanks to the people sending in a stream of trip reports! Keep them coming.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Tell the Difference Between Noisy Miners and Indian Mynas
    HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOISY MINERS AND INDIAN MYNAS A lot of people want to know how to tell a noisy miner from an Indian myna. The Indian myna (also known as the common myna, common mynah or Indian mynah) has earned the reputation of being one of the worst feral animals in Australia. It’s likely that if you live in Sydney, Melbourne, North Queensland or Brisbane, you’re already familiar with it. This little brown bird might look harmless, but the World Conservation Union (IUCN) takes it very seriously. They put it on the list of the 100 most invasive species in the world and describe it as an extreme threat to Australia. Humans don’t get off easily either. Mynas carry bird mites and have the potential to carry avian-borne diseases that are dangerous to people, not to Noisy miner mention the huge amount of droppings they leave under their communal probably take the role of being the other birds to get the best nesting holes. roosting trees. Often gathering at night worst introduced species in Australia). in numbers more than a thousand, In the 1880s there was a locust You can discourage Indian mynas from these raucous birds can take over plague, so Indian mynas were brought your Australian garden by: clumps of trees, especially around in to control them. Of course, the • keeping less open grassed areas in areas where many people go (where mynas didn’t stop the locusts but your garden; they encounter fewer predators), such became another pest themselves.
    [Show full text]