Indian Myna

Note Number: AG1415
Published: August 2010
Updated:

Information on distribution, legal status and management of Indian Mynas in Victoria.

Introduction

Indian Myna (photo taken by Chris Tzaros)

Indian Mynas (Acridotheres tristis) have spread through eastern Australia since being introduced to control insect pests in the 1880s and have been naturalised in Victoria for many decades.

The Indian Myna has been listed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as among the world’s 100 worst invasive species.

Occurrence in Victoria

The map below under-represents the distribution of Indian Mynas, as bird watchers are the main contributors to the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife (the Atlas) and they do not often record non-native species.

The reporting of any new sightings of Indian Mynas to the Atlas is encouraged, especially in the western regions of the State. These can be provided via the following address: biodiversity.info@dse.vic.gov.au .

It is important that any sighting can be confirmed as an Indian Myna, as this species can be easily confused with native honeyeaters: the Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) and the Yellow-throated Miners (Manorina flavigula). Follow the link to National Pest Alert for assistance in the identification of the different species: www.feral.org.au.

Distribution of Indian Myna pre- 1970 to 2010.

Legislative Status

The Indian Myna is not a declared pest animal under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. The Department of Primary Industries does not consider it reasonable to impose the lawful responsibility of control of Indian Mynas upon all landowners (including those in suburbia) when it is unlikely to result in the desired outcome of 'eradicate or control or prevent its spread in the wild' (the requirements that must be satisfied to be able to declare a species). The Department does not implement specific programs to control Indian Mynas.

This species is not specifically protected by law in Victoria, and so a person may capture and/or destroy these birds by appropriate legal and humane methods.

Control

Control is at the discretion of individual landowners and must comply with other relevant legislation.

The use of cage traps is the most commonly deployed technique. Localised trapping may reduce numbers in the short term but this may not make a significant difference to overall population due to rapid recolonisation by birds moving in from other areas. Please note that any trapping undertaken in Victoria must be in accordance with Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008, which can be found on the DPI website.

Research in other States has looked at the practicalities of trapping Indian Mynas. The use of trapping as a control tool used in isolation of other control methods is unlikely to result in successful broad-scale management of this pest, however there has been some localised success with trapping programs. One notable example of such localised success has been through the Canberra Indian Myna Action Group Inc.

Humane Euthanasia

Once captured, the recommended method for the humane euthanasia of Indian Mynas in Victoria is the injection of barbiturates by a veterinarian. Another method supported by the Victorian Government is cervical dislocation, when undertaken by a person who is trained and highly competent. To minimise stress on birds they should be taken to a vet as soon as captured for immediate euthanasia. Any euthansed birds must be disposed of appropriately, according to local regulations for waste disposal.

There has been research into euthanasia by carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2), however the Victorian Government and National Office of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) recommends further investigation before they can be considered humane methods of euthanasia of Common (Indian) Mynas.

Sourced from the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife, DSE 2010

Acknowledgements

This Agricultural Note was developed by Bronwen Williams, Biosecurity Victoria. August 2010.

Map prepared by Tony Cuzner, landscape Protection Strategies GIS Services.

Photo of Indian Myna by Chris Tzaros.