Indian Myna Control Project Handbook

Funded by the NSW Environmental Trust Indian Myna and supported by the following organisations: control project handbook Managing the invasion of Indian Mynas in Northern NSW

LANDCARE NAMBUCCA VALLEY Contents

The Indian Myna Control Project Pg 2 The Problem with Indian Mynas Pg 3 Identification Pg 4 Behaviour and Habits Pg 6 Managing the Invasion Pg 8 Trapping Program Pg 9 Trapping Procedures Pg 10 Trapping & transporting Procedures Pg 12 Euthanasing Procedures Pg 13 Handling Native birds Pg 14 Reporting & Monitoring Pg 16 Contacts Inside back cover

Written by Tien Pham and Joy van Son Based on the Handbook by the Macleay Valley Myna Project

Printed June 2009 The Indian Myna Control Project The problem with indian mynas

Mynas can often be seen on power lines and in open grassy areas where they hunt for insects & worms.

Indian Mynas were introduced into Australia In addition to being a nuisance in these Indian Mynas are a highly invasive species. in the late 1860s to control insects in landscapes, their presence in ever- They are opportunistic and eat almost market gardens. Originally wide spread in increasing numbers also threaten native anything. In cities and regional centres South Asia, they have now established over birds and hollow-dwelling animals Mynas congregate in areas where food most of Eastern Australia and are spreading in the wild. sources are regularly available usually to other parts of the country including near schools, shopping centres, parks The Indian Myna Control Project provides Darwin, Perth and Adelaide. and sport fields. education, coordination support and traps They have become a huge problem in to local communities in northern NSW to The Mynas scavenge for food scraps near cities and urban centres where they have help combat the Indian Myna Bird invasion. picnic areas and rubbish bins. They will also been able to effectively adapt to a range take pet food and bird seed from backyards This booklet will help you to: of conditions and exploit a wide variety of in residential areas. In rural areas they feed different food types. Mynas also thrive in • Identify the Indian Myna on stock feed, grain, pellets and compost. rural landscapes where agricultural activities • Understand the behaviour and habits They foul on the backs of livestock and provide them with a range of habitats and of Indian Mynas contaminate feed bins. They also leave feeding options. They often congregate an unsightly mess in sheds and stables • Stop the invasion in your own backyard near catlle farms and dairies where feedlots where they roost. are readily accessible. Racing stables and • Use Myna traps Mynas can often be seen on power lines farms with poultry coops are also prime • Ensure humane handling of captured birds and in open grassy areas where they hunt Indian Mynas are messy birds and nest scavenging areas for Indian Mynas. • Monitor and report bird feeding and for insects and worms. They congregate in tree hollows, palms and under roofs in roost sites in large numbers in roost trees, making a sheds and houses. They evict animals and loud chattering noise and leaving droppings birds from their nests, attack chicks of other Your local coordinator can help identify everywhere. Apart from the reduced species and breed in tree hollows rendering trapping sites, train volunteers to use the aesthetics, clean-up costs can be quite them unusable by other wildlife. This is of traps and organise the humane disposal significant. Mynas can also impact on particular concern, as tree hollows have of captured Indian Mynas. human health, as they are carriers of bird become an increasingly limiting resource If you would like to report large numbers mite and may harbour avian diseases such for many native animals. of Indian Mynas or roost locations contact as psittacosis and salmonellosis. Mynas are well adapted to Australian your Local Area Coordinator or Indian Myna conditions and breed quickly. Action Group. For more information on the Indian Myna Control Project in your local area refer to the “Contacts” section at the back of the Handbook (Pg.16)

Identification Identification

Indian Myna (Acridotheres tristus) noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala) Introduced pest Native bird

Black head Black patch around eyes Yellow beak Olive tinge & eye patch near wing edge

Yellow beak & eye patch White wing patch (visible when flying)

Pale grey breast & white belly Chocolate brown body

Flesh coloured legs Long yellow legs

• Indian Mynas are predominantly chocolate • The key difference between the two birds • Noisy Miners are a protected species, • Apart from the physical similarities, both brown with a black head. In flight, white is that the Indian Myna has a chocolate and must be released if captured. birds appear to share common behavioural wing patches are clearly visible. brown coloured body, whilst the Noisy traits which can often lead to incorrect • The native Noisy Miner is a honeyeater Miner is mottled grey and white. identification. The Noisy Miner also • Both birds have yellow beaks and a yellow with a much more limited diet. It forages breeds rapidly, forming family groups patch around their eyes. • Mynas spend much of their time foraging for nectar and small insects. which move around in search of food. on the ground, where they can often be They can exhibit aggressive and territorial observed moving about with a distinctive behaviour, chirping boisterously and ‘hoping gait’. working together to chase other birds away.

Behaviour and Habits

The Indian Myna belongs toFor the more Starling information family; on athe group Indian of Mynabirds Controlwhich The Myna’s behaviour is seasonal. They Rural areas includesProject, trap another plans invasive and species, the Common form pairs for breeding from September project news, please visi. Mynas prefer open woodland and grassland Starling (Sturnus to March and go in search of a protected to forested areas. They particularly favour vulgaris) as well as the nesting site. They are prolific breeders and open grazing country and freshly slashed or Metallic Starling (Aplonis can raise multiple clutches per year, with ploughed fields. Mynas follow major roads metallica) which is native 4-5 chicks per clutch. The fledgling period to tropical Queensland. and arterial routes to spread into new lasts for 20-30 days and when the juveniles areas, especially in places where the are ready to fly they travel in small family natural landscape has been modified. groups. Indian Mynas are commensal with humans. After March, the Mynas join larger groups They thrive in areas of human settlement, and move to communal roosts where they often occupying disturbed habitats. can number in the hundreds. They split They are attracted to animal food, especially up in the mornings, going off in different horse, goat and pig feed, chicken pellets, directions to find food in small groups. and fruit. They will also feed on animal By September, the Mynas form pairs and manure. Mynas will nest in out-buildings, prepare to nest again. house roofs, nest boxes and tree hollows Hundreds of Mynas can roost in a single in paddocks and on the edge of bushland. tree or building, especially near a regular Shooting scares them off but they will food source like a racecourse. When the return if food is available. Myna numbers get so great, food becomes scarce and a new colony is established. Residential areas Indian Mynas are sedentary, non-migratory Mynas are well adapted to urban areas birds, however resident populations display where feeding sites are plentiful. They are some local movement. They have been often seen resting on power lines, prowling observed regularly moving between roost schools, picnic areas and sports fields sites and foraging grounds, with additional for food scraps. They nest in gaps in city seasonal movements between known buildings, petrol stations, air conditioners, habitats. and in house roofs and gutters. In backyard gardens Mynas invade nest boxes and displace native birds and animals. They feed on nectar and seed put out to attract native birds and particularly favour left-over pet food.

Image – A typical Indian Myna roost site, composed of exotic trees.

managing the invasion trapping program

Planting a wide range of local native plant species in your garden will provide a diversity of habitats for native birds.

Trapping alone will not keep the Indian • Feed pets inside, or if that is not possible, The aim of trapping is to reduce the Indian Mynas under control. Mynas thrive where put pet food inside during the day. Myna population, thereby reducing the there is easy access to food. You can threat to native birds and animals. • Ensure chicken and duck pens are Myna reduce their available food source in the Reducing the existing Indian Myna proof. Feed poultry inside a secured area. following ways: population by trapping requires the • When feeding goats or horses, it is best humane handling of all captured birds. • Leaving out seed and other food for to stay with the animals while they are Everyone who participates in trapping native birds will attract Indian Mynas and feeding and clean up spilled or leftover must adopt the animal welfare protocol. they will quickly dominate your garden. pellets or grain. Also bag manure around Mynas will totally exclude all other birds stables and cover compost heaps. PeeGee’s Myna Trap and in the long term you may be left Traps are designed to exploit Myna Image – One-way walk in tunnel with a garden full of Indian Mynas. If you Mynas nest in tree hollows, roofs, exotic behaviour. One example is The Pee Gee’s see Mynas at your bird feeder or in your trees and the dead fronds of palms. You Myna Trap, a double-chambered wire trap Vertical Tunnel garden refrain from putting out bird seed can reduce their available habitat in the which is suitable for use in backyards and Once inside the entrance chamber, until Mynas have left the area. following ways: gardens. It has proved to be successful the Mynas will go up the tunnel into • Planting a wide range of local native plant • Block holes in roofs and eaves. in Indian Myna trapping programs the holding chamber where there is species in your garden will provide a • Keep palms well trimmed. Avoid planting across NSW. no chance of escaping. diversity of habitats for native birds. Indian clumps of exotic species such as Cocos Talk to your local Project Coordinator for Mynas prefer foraging in areas with a Palm (Cocos plumosa), Slash Pine (Pinus Image – information on borrowing a trap, or to Vertical tunnel clear understorey. A garden with reduced elliotii), Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata) and obtain the PeeGee’s Trap construction leading to holding lawn containing a mixture of native trees, Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla), plan. The step by step instructions are chamber shrubs and herbs, especially with a as these are all preferred Indian Myna easy to follow and the materials required dense understorey will attract a variety of roosting trees. to build your own trap are inexpensive. birdlife, without providing suitable habitat • Bird mite infestations can cause severe for Mynas. itching and rashes – if you have a Myna One-way Walk in Tunnels nest in your roof, gutters, a backyard tree Mynas walk about looking for food, or a bird box in your garden, you should therefore, all Myna traps have walk in destroy it before the eggs hatch. Put the one-way tunnels. Most traps have two nest in a garbage bag in your garbage bin. tunnels but some experimental traps are circular and have four or five tunnels. • Wear gloves when handling Myna Birds and their nests.

trapping procedures trapping procedures

Ensure that the birds you are aiming to trap are Indian Mynas or Starlings and not native Noisy Miners.

A Guide to using Pee Gees • Provide shade, food and fresh water in the Step 1 – Get your bait. You will need to Indian Myna and Common larger chamber (containment chamber) at use suitable bait. The bait that is most Starling Trap all times for captured birds. attractive seems to be ‘Lucky Dog Minis – Minced Beef, Vegetable and Pasta Flavour’. • No bird is to be treated cruelly or • If Ibis start to hang around the trap, put Do not use grain-based foods (birdseed and subjected to harsh conditions: please your trap away until they have been bread etc) as this attracts non-target birds observe the requirements of the NSW absent from the site for a couple of days. such as crested pigeons and parrots. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act These birds can get a taste for the bait 1979. Your Area Coordinator will inform and stake out the trap even if they can’t Step 2 – Choose a spot at which to you if there are requirements to sign an reach the bait and consequently ruin your undertake trapping. This should be a site animal welfare protocols agrreement. trapping effort if not discouraged in the that you have seen the Indian Mynas come first instance. down on to the ground. If possible, the site • Indian Mynas and Starlings are very • Do not approach the trap during daylight should be flat and open with short grass, intelligent and wary birds. For your hours. Even if you can’t see the Indian Trapping Process however volunteers have had success trapping to be successful you will need Mynas they can see you. If un-trapped To maximise trapping results make sure trapping in various other settings including to follow the process included below Indian Mynas see you handling a trap, that you have completed one step before on the roof of carports, or on verandahs. consistently and methodically. You will particularly once you have a trapped bird, moving to the next. Duration of trapping can Keep children and pets away from the trap. need patience and persistence for your they will avoid entering the trap. vary widely from site to site and can take trapping to be successful. Step 3 – Restrict access to food sources • Traps are on loan to volunteers and should anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. as you need the birds to be hungry to lure • Ensure that the birds you are aiming to not be modified or changed in any way. them into a trap. Make sure that any food trap are Indian Mynas or Starlings and not • Only ever set up the trap when you are the Mynas have been accessing at your native Noisy Miners. Noisy Miners are able to check it morning and evening. place (scraps, pet food, chicken feed etc) protected by law and it is illegal to trap Ensure that the trap is stored away safely is no longer available to them. If the birds them without a licence. at night, and any other time that it is not are feeding at a neighbours place, it may be • This trap is intended to trap Indian Mynas in use, as this will prevent accidental worth approaching them and asking if they and Starlings where they are known to trapping of non-target animals. This will would mind restricting available food for the come down onto the ground and feed on also prevent vermin from eating your bait. time in which you are trapping. a regular basis (at least 3 times a week). If • Keep pets and children away from the you have not yet had these birds feeding trap as Indian Mynas and Starlings are on the ground at your site, trapping with extremely wary birds and are sensitive Image – Volunteers at the Nambucca Pee Gees trap is unlikely to be successful. to disturbance. Pets may also eat the Men’s shed, building Pee Gee’s trap. bait intended for the birds. • If you trap any non-target species, you must release them through the door hatches.

10 11 trapping & Transporting procedures Euthanasing procedures

The Mynas are placed in a container or large plastic bag and are put to sleep with a small dose of CO2.

Step 4 – ‘Free-feed’ the birds at the site Once you have trapped Indian Euthanasing procedures • Inhalation of carbon dioxide (CO2) you have chosen. This is done in order to Euthanasia of Mynas by carbon dioxide Mynas or Starlings The aim of euthanasia is to minimise or teach the Indian Mynas that there is a safe (CO2) must be arranged beforehand with • If Mynas are to be gassed, captured birds eliminate stress the birds will experience and regular source of food at this site. Place your Area Coordinator. The birds must be can be left in the holding chamber with prior to becoming unconscious. Trap a flat white plate or plastic conatiner lid at delivered for gassing in a sealed hessian the entrance chamber removed for ease operators must be willing to accept your site and keep this topped up with bait. bag, or in the covered holding cage of of transport. A towel should be placed that humane killing of trapped birds is Avoid going near the plate when there are the trap. over the holding chamber to keep birds an important responsibility. Your area Mynas around. Other birds, such as magpies calm during transportation. coordinator can assist you to arrange for The Mynas are placed in a container and and Pee Wees, may steal some of the Mynas to be humanely euthanased by put to sleep with a small dose of CO2. bait, but do not chase them away as Indian • Alternatively the birds can be placed in experienced volunteers. The container is sealed for three minutes side a pillow case with the end secured. Mynas will learn to eat from the plate by to retain the gas and the Mynas die The birds can be kept inside the pillow The preferred options for euthanasing watching these less wary birds. Make sure quickly without stress. you actually sight the Mynas eating case during the gasing process. Mynas are: The NSW Department of Primary the bait off the plate before moving to the • If needed, the birds can also be • Cervical dislocation (breaking neck) Industries does not consider it humane to next step. transferred to a smaller bird cage by If you use cervical dislocation (breaking euthanase birds with exhaust gas from a placing the holding chamber and cage neck) or decapitation, you must be able Step 5 – Put the trap next to the plate. car. This can vary in other states, so it is alongside each other, with door openings to kill the Myna instantly. By placing the trap near the plate of food best to check you local rules. Mynas will perceive the trap as being a aligned. Birds can then be coaxed from harmless object. the chamber to the cage, without the • Injection of a barbiturate need for direct handling of birds. This is least preferred out of the three Step 6 – Bait the trap and take away the recommended methods, as it requires • Use gloves when handling live or dead ‘free-feeding’ plate. Place a small white the expertise of a qualified vet, and can birds as wild birds may carry disease. plate inside the smaller (entrance) chamber be expensive. of the trap. Put a handful of bait on the When removing the birds through the trap plate. Ensure the birds can see the feed in door be careful of the sharp edges. Mynas Wrap dead Mynas in newspaper and the entrance chamber from the tunnel, but are easy birds to handle. If you pin the place them in your household garbage will not be able to reach it until they have wings to their bodies and grasp firmly bin or dispose of them in your compost entered the trap. Additionally, put a small they will not peck or fight. to decompose. amount of bait inside and around the tunnel • Clean the trap. You may need to hose it entrances of the small chamber to attract the down or, if badly fouled, use some vinegar Mynas. Ensure that only small amounts of and scrub it down. Indian Mynas will bait are used in this manner as excess bait not enter a dirty or smelly trap. Relocate will deter them from entering the trap. the trap if the area becomes soiled from captured birds. They like to be clean and will avoid being around their own excrement.

12 13 handling native birds

Noisy Miners are used by other bird species as “sentries”. They have a distinctive alarm call to indicate when a bird of prey is nearby. When the alarm call is heard, other birds will leave the area. Handling of Native Birds Ensure the trap’s holding chamber contains plenty of food and clean water for all Whilst traps are designed specifically to trapped birds. If you find a native bird in the target Indian Mynas, some native birds trap, open the appropriate door provided to may also be caught. release it; do not handle native birds unless In the past, volunteers have observed that they are injured. If they are dehydrated or some of the most common non-target lethargic, keep them in a box in a dark and native species trapped are Pee Wees quiet place to allow them to recover. Do not (Grallina cyanoleuca) and Satin Bower birds force food or water into the beak of (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus). If these birds an injured or stressed bird. are common in your area try setting the Volunteers in the past have also trap with a live Myna bird which will help encountered juvenile natives such as to deter native birds, whilst attracting other Crimson Rosella chicks, which have been Indian Mynas to the trap. Your local Area evicted from their nest hollows by Indian Coordinator can also advise on other ways Mynas. If chicks are still alive, carefully to minimise trapping native birds. place them in a cardboard box lined with leaf litter or cloth and place the box in a dark, quiet spot. If chicks are unfeathered, provide immediate warmth by placing a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel inside the box. Immediately contact your nearest wildlife rescue organisation for further care instructions. Refer to the “Contacts” list in the back of the Handbook for your nearest wildlife rescue/ welfare organisation.

14 15 Reporting & Monitoring

Reporting and monitoring of Indian Mynas enables us to track where the birds are and helps us to gather information about the effectiveness of trapping. Reporting

Roost Sites Report property locations, type of tree or building the Mynas occupy and estimate the size of the colony. The roost site will be mapped and monitored. In some areas, strategic shooting programs to control Monitoring Indian Mynas at their nesting and roost Volunteers can keep track of a particular sites have been implemented. Speak population by doing regular Myna counts to your Local Area Coordinator for more at roost sites and observing details on information. aspects such as communal behaviour and flock movements. Speak to your Local Area Feeding sites coordinator about being an active volunteer Report property location, number of Mynas in the reporting and monitoring process. seen regularly, and preferred food source.

Trapping We need feedback from all trappers. Please contact your Area Coordinator for data record sheets, and for more information on data recording procedures. Any trapping issues or unusual Indian Myna behaviour should also be reported.

16 Contacts

Indian Myna Control Project F.A.W.N.A (South of Nambucca) Local Area Coordinator Hotline (02) 6581 4141 Tien Pham W.I.R.E.S (North of Nambucca) Bellingen, Nambucca & Coffs Harbour Coffs Harbour branch Local Government Areas Telephone: (02) 6652 7119 Telephone: 0438 218 261 National Parks and Wildlife Service Ingrid Mid North Coast Regional Office (Port Macquarie) Pamela Gray Telephone: (02) 6586 8300 Telephone: (02) 6670 2778 Supporting Councils Websites and Organisations Indian Myna Control Project www.indianmyna.org Macquarie - Hastings Council Telephone: (02) 6581 8111 Birds in Backyards www.birdsinbackyards.net Bellingen Shire Council Telephone: (02) 6655 7300 Canberra Indian Myna Action Group www.indianmynaaction.org.au Nambucca Shire Council Telephone: (02) 6568 2555 Central Coast Indian Myna Action Group www.ccimag.asn.au Coffs Harbour City Council Telephone: (02) 6648 4000 Mid North Coast Indian Myna Project (Bellingen, Nambucca & Coffs Harbour) Hastings Landcare www.indianmynaproject.com.au Telephone: (02) 6586 4465 Nambucca Valley Landcare Telephone: (02) 6564 7838 Want to Know More? Bellingen Landcare Telephone: (02) 6655 0588 Call the Mid North Coast Indian Myna Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare Hotline for more information on the Telephone: (02) 6651 1308 trapping program or to report sightings Macleay Landcare Network of large numbers of Myna birds. Photo credits Telephone: (02) 6562 2076 Thankyou to Joanne Ireland HOTLINE Taree Council for the image of the Native 0438 218 261 Telephone: (02) 6592 5399 Noisy Miner on page 15 Email: [email protected] Thankyou to Jacqui Stol for the images of the Indian Mynas in Website: www.indianmynaproject.com.au Pee Gee’s trap on page 10 &13 Contacts

LANDCARE NAMBUCCA VALLEY