Community group helping council trap and control Indian Mynas

A COMMUNITY group is helping manage the invasive Indian Myna birds with a trapping program in the Byron Shire.

The Byron Shire Indian Myna Action Group has been working with council in trapping birds since September and will continue until May.

“Since the beginning of the program, in 2020, around 730 animals were controlled summing the efforts of more than 50 people in the Shire,” group member Rochelle Merdith said.

“The Indian Myna is a highly intelligent and aggressive bird that successfully competes with our native species for food and nesting sites.

“If left to colonise the birds will quickly become the dominant species.

Individuals and groups are encouraged to get involved and reduce the numbers.

Council can help train individuals and groups on the best practice of trapping.

“If you see a trap, do not disturb the birds inside and please keep domestic pets away,” Ms Meredith said.

“The negative impacts are particularly high on hollow dependent species such as rosellas, lorikeets, glossy black cockatoo, Galahs, Brown Tree creeper, Kookaburras and Dollar birds.

“Indian Mynas can evict small marsupials such as sugar gliders, harass possums or any animal that is in a hollow nesting site that they want to take over.

“Forty-two per cent of Australian mammals use tree hollows. Trees take between 50 – 100 years to form hollows

“A recent study in south-east Queensland (showed), over 90 per cent of the nestboxes (that) were used over two-year period, Indian mynas were the most successful bird in areas where they have been established for longer, which means higher myna numbers.”

The mynas will destroy eggs and chicks of other species then foul the nest with rubbish like cigarette butts and bits of plastic.

Once a nest site is abandoned, native species may avoid the hollow for several years.

If you would like to participate in the program contact Claudia Caliari at Byron Shire Council on 66267000.

The Byron Shire Indian Myna Action Group can be found on Facebook.