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All About Myna Birds in Australia

David Cook • Sep 10, 2019

Is The Indian Myna Australia's Number One Feral Pest?

Inian Myna Bird
The Indian Myna Bird or sometimes called common myna is a small bird which is a member of the Stunidae (Starings and Mynas) family. It has the unfortunate title as Australia's most hated animal topping even the cane toad and feral cats. 

The hatred of Myna birds comes from the real fear that these birds will replace the indigenous birds and become the dominant bird species in Australia. This has already happened in the Pacific Islands were in countries such as Fiji and Vanuatu have lost most of their birdlife and all you can see are Myna birds which are everywhere including on your table and balcony, ready to steal your food as soon as you turn your back. Tourists travelling to many Asian holiday destinations such as Thailand and surrounding countries will notice the lack of smaller birds and the dominance of the Myna Bird.


The Indian Myna (sometimes spelt mynah) is an invasive species and it is aggressive and very territorial. The bird will attack and evict other birds and kill the young and use the nest to rear their own young. 
Map showing Myna Bird native and introduced
The most effective method of controlling the spread of the Indian Myna is trapping them. Backyard traps have proven to be very effective in Australia especially when the community works together as an informed group with traps in many back yards.
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