Indian Mynas

The Indian Myna is native to tropical southern Asia, ranging from Iran to India and Sri Lanka. It has extended its range into most of south-east Asia and has been introduced to many parts of the world, including South Africa, North America, the Middle East, New Zealand and Eastern Australia.

The Indian Myna was introduced to Australia in 1862 with the expectation that it would control insect pests in market gardens and sugar cane plantations. It failed to do this.

Knox City Council will soon be holding another information session on Indian Mynas. This session will provide information on how Knox City Council’s Indian Myna Control Program works, why Indian Mynas are a problem and what you can do to deter them from visiting your garden.

Once a date is confirmed it will be advertised on this page (cost is free).

At our last information session Peter Wiltshire - Ranger in Charge at the Darebin Parklands, was our keynote speaker.

Peter discovered Indian Mynas were the cause of the decrease in the local Eastern Rosella population. Peter has led the use of video cameras to research Myna behaviour, which has established evidence of the impact of this feral species. He has also worked with local Councils and communities to create a successful management and trapping program. Eastern Rosellas have now returned to the Darebin Parklands.

It is important to distinguish the Indian Myna from the protected native Noisy Miner.

The Common or Indian Myna can be identified by its yellow beak and eye patch, and brown body.

The Noisy Miner is identified by its mostly grey body and black crown and cheeks. The bill is yellow, as are the legs.

Indian Mynas are aggressive and compete with native animals for space. They force other birds and small mammals out of their nests and tree hollows and throw other bird’s eggs and chicks out of their nests.

Indian Mynas build large messy nests in roofs from sticks and any available rubbish they find, which can create fire risks in buildings. The accumulated droppings and mites from nests in house roofs are a breeding ground for disease and inhaled mites can cause asthma and hay fever. They also spread rubbish about when they forage in open rubbish bins, creating a public health risk.

In response to the threat the Indian Myna poses to native animals and biodiversity, Knox City Council has examined options for the control and management of the species.

Community action supported by local government has proven to be the best approach to pest control programs, including control of the Indian Myna. It takes advantage of the strengths of both local government and community action groups.

Trapping Indian Mynas on your property using a custom-designed trap followed by approved euthanasia measures will reduce the Indian Myna population, thereby reducing the threat to native birds and animals.

Traps are 820L x 410W x 600H in size and cost $50.20 each. More information about the traps and the program can be found in the factsheets at the bottom of this page.

If you prefer not to participate in Knox Council's Indian Myna Control Program, consider joining MynaScan to map myna birds in your local area and help build information about myna birds across your region.

MynaScan is a community website that allows you to record and map sightings of myna birds, their impacts, and control activities in your local area.

The trapping and euthanising of Indian Mynas must be carried out in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008. The main components of this Act and associated regulations are described in the nationally endorsed and RSPCA approved standard operating procedures (SOPs): Trapping of pest birds (BIR002) and Methods of euthanasia (GEN001).

Any eradication program supported by Knox City Council must ensure that trapped birds are not treated cruelly and the method of euthanasia is quick, painless, and stress‐free and conforms to RSPCA guidelines.