Australia's Most Annoying Pest

Not rabbits, not cane toads, not foxes. What gets up the noses of more Australians than any other pest is the Indian Myna bird. Introduced to Melbourne in the 1860s to combat insects in market gardens, they are agressive, noisy, smart and out-compete native birds.

Researcher Kate Grarock found the introduction of mynas had led to significant falls in the abundance of 11 bird species in an ruban area. Crimson rosella numbers had fallen from 5.9 per square kilometre to 2.4. Sulphur crested cockatoo numbers had fallen by 2 per square kilometre and kookaburras by about 0.4. (See The Age)

 And they're spreading here in Riddells Creek.

Riddells resident Stephanie Schabe has had enough. What was one pair has now grown to a small flock of six, and she taking action. Stephanie phoned Landcare this week asking if we were doing anything about Indian Mynas. No we aren't, but we'll back Stephanie by letting our members know about what she's doing.

To catch Indian Mynas, get a specially constructed cage (plans available, Mens Shed may build, or buy them for $50), then put food in the cage with easy access in and out, so the Mynas get used to coming and going. Then set the cage so they can get in, but not out. Last step - kill the birds, and drop them in your waste bin. It's the killing that's hardest for many people, and a big barrier to taking action. Bill Hall has pointed me to a workshop program that Wollongong City Council offers its ratepayers on how to dispose of caught mynas, and asks if Macedon Ranges offers similar. Not that we know of, but no harm in asking. 

If you want to get rid of Mynas around your residence, and claim back space for native birds, contact Stephanie Schade on 0419366117, or sschade@netspace.net.au.