It’s easy to forget how lucky we are to wake to the sound of a kookaburra laughing, lorikeets squabbling for nectar or blue wrens searching for insects. People living elsewhere around Australia are not as fortunate, instead waking to the sound of Indian mynas screeching their morning tune.
Listed as one of the world’s 100 most invasive species, Indian mynas are extremely aggressive birds that pose an immense threat to biodiversity by outcompeting native animals for resources and nesting hollows in trees.
More than nine years ago Eurobodalla Council initiated a shire-wide control program to limit the population of these destructive birds by offering residents volunteer-made traps to humanely catch Indian mynas for euthanasia.
Council’s Natural Resources Supervisor Courtney Fink-Downes said the results had been astounding.
“The success is thanks to the passion and ongoing perseverance of the community who have worked with Council to deploy these traps in their backyards,” she said.
“But now is not the time to be complacent - we still need everyone to keep a look out for Indian mynas and contact us with any sightings. They are easily recognisable by their chocolate brown body, yellow beak and eye patch, yellow legs, black head, and white wing patch, which is highly visible when flying.”
Ms Fink-Downes said a pair of Indian mynas could produce about 20 chicks.
“They are not fussy about where they make their nests,” she said.
“Letterboxes, open roof cavities, tree hollows and most places that are high off the ground and are warm and dry are all ideal nesting sites. If you see them making a nest or landing in your backyard, please get in touch.”
To report a sighting or request a trap, please contact Council’s Natural Resource Supervisor Courtney Fink-Downes on 4474 7493. For more information about Indian myna birds and the control program, visit www.esc.nsw.gov.au/living-in/living-sustainably/get-involved/indian-myna-control-program
Above: Council’s Indian Myna Control Program has enjoyed great success, helping to minimise the population of the invasive bird in the Eurobodalla. Residents should report any Indian myna sightings to Council on 4474 7493.
