Acridotheres tristis Linnaeus, 1766 The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is a highly commensal Passerine that lives in close association with humans. It competes with small mammals and birds for nesting hollows and on some islands, such as Hawaii and Fiji, it preys on other birds’ eggs and chicks. It presents a threat to indigenous biota, particularly parrots and other birdlife, in Australia and elsewhere. The common myna has been introduced to parts of South East Asia, New Zealand, eastern Australia and southern Africa and Madagascar. It is also present on many islands in the Atlantic Ocean (including the Canary Islands, St Helena and Ascension Island), Indian Ocean (including Réunion, Mauritius, Rodriguez north to Lacadive and Maldive Islands and east to Andaman and Solomon Islands, Samoa, Cook Islands, Society Islands and some otherNicobar French Islands) Polynesian and Pacific islands). Ocean There (including are new Fiji, recordsNew Caledonia, of both the common myna and the jungle myna (Acridotheres fuscus) on tropical islands, most recently on Kiribati. Photo credit: K.W Bridges [link] Besides destroying fruit crops and being a public nuisance (they are highly vocal birds), the common myna is a nest site competitor. A Risk assessment model by the Bureau of Rural Sciences, Australia, On the Comoros, mynas are known to compete for nest holes with the ‘Critically Endangered (CR)’ Anjouan Scops Owl (Otus 2003). Foraging traps are very useful for the control of small myna capnodes) and the Grand Comoro Scops owl (Otus pauliani). On populationsclassifies the ifcommon poisoning myna is notin the an highest option. threat Starlacide category DRC1339 (Bomford has Saint Helena, cats and the common myna are probably the most been used against mynas and is effective where there are no non- target species issues. Alphachloralose paste is used for temporary (CR)’ St. Helena plover (Charadrius sanctaehelenae) (IUCN, 2010). local control of mynas in cooler climates. significant predators of the chicks of the ‘Critically Endangered References: Bomford, M., 2003. Risk Assessment for the Import and Keeping of Exotic Vertebrates in Australia. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra [link] IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.1 [link] Click here to view archives of previous weeks’ species.