Myna
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Myna bird.
Common names:
Myna, Indian myna
Scientific name:
Acridotheres tristis
Regional classification:
Cost recovery and education only
Description
The myna is a tropical bird first introduced into New Zealand in the 1970s. Mynas did not appear north of the Waikato until the 1950s. Once they reached Northland and our warmer climate, their numbers increased dramatically.
Mynas are 25-30cm in length and weight between 25-120 grams.
Why are they a problem?
Mynas are territorial and aggressive toward other birds and have been known to remove native species from their nests for their own use.
Where mynas gather in large numbers to feed on stock food, crops or fruit, they cause considerable economic loss.
What can I do?
There are a number of things you can do including:
Recommended control methods
Poisoning
Bread laced with alphachloralose poison paste is the best method of control. Mynas should be prefed non-toxic bread bait for around a week, preferably at the same time and place each day, before the poison is added.
Alphachloralose renders the bird unconscious and lowers its body temperature. The best time to poison is during the colder months, in the evening, when lower night temperatures will kill the birds before they regain consciousness. Otherwise all unconscious birds must be recovered and killed before they revive and escape. Non-target species can be kept warm until they recover, and then released.
Uneaten toxic bait must be removed and disposed of safely as it may pose a threat to domestic animals or children.
Alphachloralose is available from most stock and station or farm supply stores. For further information on how to poison mynas contact the Northland Regional Council pest management staff.
Shooting
This should not be attempted unless all birds can be killed on the first attempt as otherwise it will just disperse the remainder onto another area.
You must have a licence before using a firearm. Use a gun with extreme care, especially where there are likely to be people or animals in the vicinity.
Bird scaring devices
A wide variety of devices are available. When using bird scaring devices it is important to remember:
- Birds quickly become accustomed to scaring devices, which should be used as infrequently as possible and only when a crop is at the vulnerable stage.
- Use a variety of devices so birds do not become familiar with one type.
- Remove any device that appears to have lost its effectiveness.
- Change the position as frequently as possible. Even moving them a short distance adds to the confusion and increases effectiveness.
- Devices can be reinforced by occasionally shooting in the area so birds relate the shooting to the scare device.
Bird scaring devices are available from Pest Management Services Ltd:
Phone: 0800 111 4NOPEST (0800 111 466)
Website: www.nopests.co.nz
Find out more: Download pest animal control publications
More information
For further information or control advice please contact one of our Biosecurity Officers at the Northland Regional Council on 0800 002 004:
- Whangarei: Carl Cooper and Steve Henderson
- Dargaville: Paul Ralph
- Kaitaia: Mike Knight