Indian Myna Control Program
The revised Indian Myna Control Project Handbook is now available.
This informative booklet will be provided to all trappers. For your free copy please contact Hastings Landcare or your local community contact person. This handbook was funded by the NSW Environmental Trust, Holiday Coast Credit Union, Port Macquarie Hastings Council and supported by NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Landcare, Coffs Harbour City Council, Bellingen Shire Council, Northern Rivers CMA and Nambucca Shire Council.
The Indian Myna Acridotheres tristis (also known as the Common Myna) was introduced into Australia in the late 1860s to control insects but has since become a huge problem in cities and urban centres along the Eastern seaboard. Indian Mynas compete for nesting hollows with native birds, destroying their eggs and chicks and interrupting natural breeding. They will also evict small mammals from their hollows leaving them potentially unusable due to their messy nesting habits. The Indian Myna is listed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as one of the worlds top 100 most invasive species, of which only 3 are birds.
Indian Mynas can pose a threat to human health, especially if they nest in your roof where they can start a bird mite infestation in your house, which is highly unpleasant and can last up to 3 weeks.
The Hastings Landcare Indian Myna Control Program has been running for approximately 4 years, yielding some excellent results. The last 2 years has seen an increase in public awareness of the issue, however the Indian Myna population is still on the increase over the majority of the catchment.
Ingrid Pullen is the Indian Myna Project Officer and coordinates an education, trapping and controlled shooting program across the catchment. Hastings Landcare works in conjunction with the Game Council NSW, Port Macquarie Hastings Council and the local RSPCA.
Hastings Landcare has teamed up with the Hastings Mens Shed at Timbertown to help with the trap demand. The Hastings Mens Shed construct Indian Myna traps for the control program and are also selling them independently. For further information on the Hastings Mens Shed please email
Please contact the Hastings Landcare office if you are interested in trapping or monitoring, would like further general information, would like to report a population near you or if you are able to identify where Indian Mynas are roosting and/or nesting.
The community needs to work together if we are to protect and maintain our local biodiversity and our peace of mind. Your input is most appreciated.
For further information please follow the link www.indianmyna.org
The following pictures will assist you in clearly identifying the Indian Myna vs the Noisy Miner
Further Information
Indian Myna Brochure -
Outside - Inside-
Indian Myna Sighting Form
-
Indian Myna Trapping POLICY
-
Indian Myna Trapping TIPS
-
Water Bottle for Birds
-
Indian Myna Trap BLANK Results Table
-
RSPCA Control of Indian Mynas
- Hastings Valley Hunting Club