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 Designed by Mira Design Studio 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) 2 3 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. 4 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- 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. 6 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.