The Myna Problem = a Major Issue

Bill Handke OAM Canberra Indian Myna Action Group Inc

Julian Robinson Indian (Common) Myna Sturnus tristis

• Native to Indian sub-continent – distinctive colouring and call – aggressive / territorial • but roost communally – opportunistic feeder : omnivorous – long lived – breeds Oct – March • up to 3 clutches of 6-8 chicks ❖ adaptive, intelligent, highly invasive • Not to be confused with the Noisy Miner – native – nectar feeder – protective of food source – becoming more common in Canberra urban fringe – can cause some environmental problems (just like the Bell Miner) The Myna Invasion

• Introduced Melbourne 1862 – to control locusts in market gardens

• Taken to Sydney in early 1880s

• Taken to Qld canefields (1883) – to control cane beetle • same as for cane toad

• Introduced Canberra in 1968 – 250 per km2

• Now across eastern seaboard – densities ↑ 750-1250 km2 Testimonials • Among 100 most invasive species worldwide – (IUCN 2000)

• Voted most hated pest in Aust – ABC Wild Watch Quest for Pests 2005 • beat cane toad, feral cat and fox

• Most Extreme Threat Category – Bureau Rural Science / Dept Environment & Water

• “You can have native birds or Indian Mynas — but not both” Mat & Cathy Gilfedder – Ian Fraser, local naturalist & 2006 Winner Aust Natural History Medallion The International Experience

• Mynas have lead to the demise / decline of:

– Mangaia Kingfisher (Cook Is) – Red-moustached Fruit Dove (French Polynesia) – Seychelles Magpie Robin (Seychelles) – Echo Parakeet (Mauritius) – Tui, NZ Pigeon & Saddleback (New Zealand) – Cave swiftlets (French Polynesia) – Tahitian Monarch (Tahiti) Why we are concerned #1 • Major threat to native wildlife

– out-compete native birds for nesting hollows

– feed on: • eggs, chicks, skinks etc & insects – drive small birds out of gardens

– vector for fatal bird diseases • eg, a carrier of Avian Malaria

– a particular threat to: • parrots • endangered insects and lizards

• Degrade woodland ecosystems – by reducing ecosystem services by other birds Under threat At Serious Risk

Golden Sun Moth Grassland Earless Dragon Synemon plana

Coorooboorama Raspy Perunga Flightless Grasshopper Cricket Perunga ochracea Likely to also be affected Impact of mynas on abundance of cavity-breeding natives - research by Kate Grarock Impact of mynas on abundance of small natives

- research by Kate Grarock

From Sakai et al. 2001 Kate Grarock’s nesting box research

- impact of mynas on rosella breeding

From Sakai et al. 2001

Nesting targets A strange place for a nest Why we are concerned # 2

• Human health risk – bird mites & blood-born parasites: Ornithonyssus bursa & Dermanyssus gallinae • cause dermatitis, asthma, severe irritation and rashes – problem from nests in roofs – droppings: Ornithosis, Salmonellosis, Arboviruses, Plasmodia • cause pneumonia, gastro – concern at outdoor cafes, factories, food warehouses – potential vector for “bird flu” • Fire risk – scrappy nests in roof cavities Why we are concerned # 3

• Horticultural / agricultural / viticultural pest

– berry crops, soft fruits, vineyards: economic losses • ↑ 30% loss from pecking

– fouling of cattle / horses: dairies & stables hot spots

– spoiling stock food Why we are concerned # 4

• Loss of Public Amenity

– fouling of patios / bbq areas / balconies

– raucous calls

– noisy roosts near houses

– “in-your-face” strutting “attitude”

– displacement of native birds in backyards CIMAG (Canberra Indian Myna Action Group Inc.) Patron: Prof Tony Peacock • Objective: – protect native wildlife from the threat posed by Indian Mynas • & reduce their nuisance in urban areas

• Strategy: – core elements • raise public awareness • reduce their growth & spread • humane trapping program • support local govt / community-action groups

• Community-action approach – a successful model • 2580 members / 2420 with traps – now 43 programs in Aust Myna characteristics…

• Sedentary - slow dispersal

• Commensal - associate with people

• Social – flocks and small groups

• Unpopular - noisy & messy

• Conspicuous – distinctive / in-your-face + Proven control techniques (trapping / netting)

… make them highly susceptible to COMMUNITY control Traps

PeeGees

(MiniMyna)

MynaMagnet

Myna-magic

Tackling the problem — Actions # 1 • Raising public understanding – a threat to our wildlife, not just a backyard nuisance • Reduce feeding opportunities – keep pet food inside – better waste control at schools, restaurants and shopping centres – stop direct feeding – cover stock food where practical • Reduce nesting opportunities – block up cavities in roofs – maintain vigilance on nesting boxes • Reduce roosting sites – remove unsuitable shrubs / trees • eg. dense exotic pencil pines, palm trees • Plant suitable gardens – reduce open space (lawns) and plant native shrubs Tackling the problem — Actions # 2

• Backyard trapping – highly effective – positive local impact – Protocol on Animal Welfare: • need to demonstrate a responsible approach to animal welfare to keep public and government on side

• Supporting research – PhD project – euthanasing research – Monitoring • Mynascan - Invasive Animals CRC Keys to Community-action # 1

Approach based on public participation:

• build networks with impt orgs / prominent people – RSPCA, university, birdwatcher group, Govt, Landcare / Catchment Management groups, gardening groups

• an aware and concerned public – program of public awareness raising • media, high profile “champions”, public presentations, website, bulletins – tap into public loathing of mynas

• sense of worth in activities / contribution – public to believe actions will make a difference – need to see results Keys to Community-action # 2

Large-scale participation needs: • easy, practical and low-cost activities – complicated and costly obligations a turn-off • simple, effective, easy-to-operate traps – members own and manage own trap – disposal method needs to be simple, but humane - quick, painless & stress-free • regular feedback to members • continuous recruitment – recognise many members will “drop off”

• low administration load on organisation Can we have an impact? The positive impact

• Consistent trapper reports:

– small birds back in people’s gardens

– rosellas / galahs back in nesting hollows & nesting boxes

– no mess / fouling in patios

– Peace !

– COG Garden Bird Survey results: • myna numbers in Canberra have reduced 2019-2020 COG Garden Bird Survey Report

CIMAGCIMAG starts starts

3rd most common

3rd most common 24th most common

74,700 mynas removed from the local environment International Activities

• Seychelles Magpie Robin: ↓ 14 birds → ↑ 90 birds Paradise Flycatcher: ↓ 60 → ↑ 270 Seychelles Warbler: ↓ 26 → ↑ 350 • Tahiti Monarch Flycatcher: ↓ 19 → 50 • Fiji • Cook Is / Atui Rimatara Lorikeet Mangaia Kingfisher Managing the Trap

• quiet spot in garden • where mynas feed • dry dog food (don’t skimp) – no bread or seed • not on roof / tables • keep cats away • only on private property – away from public view • don’t approach trap during daytime

Our Choice

This

or

this The Battle of the Indian Myna I had often envied Clancy I had a vision splendid To travel West just took my fancy Of a place that was transcended - the Overflow and native birds galore Where no mynas walked or flew across the land But word has now just reached me But that dream – it will be rendered Of a horror that upsets me - Kaput and not extended Flocks of mynas have gotten there before. Unless more Aussies help to take a stand. I had hoped the Covid virus The myna is rapacious Would mutate and help to save us Its behaviour is outrageous From the ravages of this birdy pain Our birds and skinks and bugs may all be lost But come the Xmas cheer The noise at roosts is deafening The mynas were still here Their droppings - they are threatening. So this year t’will be the bloody same. If left alone there will be such a cost. By now you would have thought Here, we’ve done a job of wonder All governments had ought 74,000 have gone under To have declared this a “pest non grata” But in other spots they are still a major pest. The grounds are overwhelming Their range has now expanded The case world-wide outstanding Control is now demanded MPs just need to be a little smarter. To save our wondrous woodland birds out West. So we will struggle on together In the year of 2020 Coz it’s a task that takes forever I had thought there would be plenty To ensure our native fauna will exist Of anti-myna trapping going on Community-action is our way With people shut in lockdown To keep such pest animals at bay At home and not in downtown A big job but we really must persist. It was a perfect time to see them gone. Bill Handke