The Indian mynah is a introduced bird which is a pest and should be eradicated from Australia.

I think local councils should start eradication programs to eliminate these birds along with the starling.

Read more here-
http://www.indianmynaeradication.com/why.html

I would say that starlings are more of a pest that the mynahs.  How about we start with the starlings instead?

I dont see a lot of starlings in the inner city there are increasing numbers of the indian mynah who are displacing the native birds.

I prefer our native birds over imported pests.

Baronvonrort wrote on Oct 18^th, 2012 at 11:30am:

I prefer our native birds over imported pests.

Even Magpies?  ;)

Frances wrote on Oct 18^th, 2012 at 11:44am:

Baronvonrort wrote on Oct 18th, 2012 at 11:30am: I prefer our native birds over imported pests. Even Magpies?  ;)

Yes

Frances wrote on Oct 18^th, 2012 at 11:22am:

I would say that starlings are more of a pest that the mynahs.  How about we start with the starlings instead?

Do both.  But mynahs are enemy No 1 where I live.

Though I did see a pair of scaly breasted lorikeets kick 2 mynahs arses yesterday.  That was cool.

Baronvonrort wrote on Oct 19^th, 2012 at 4:53pm:

Frances wrote on Oct 18th, 2012 at 11:44am: Baronvonrort wrote on Oct 18th, 2012 at 11:30am: I prefer our native birds over imported pests. Even Magpies?  ;) Yes

I  really like magpies

rabbitoh07 wrote on Oct 19^th, 2012 at 7:55pm:

But mynahs are enemy No 1 where I live.

For some reason there are hardly any mynahs where we live - a few years back there were quite a few, but they've almost all gone now - funny thing is that the numbers of the native noisy miners increased at about the same time and there's now almost as many of them as there used to be of the mynahs.  Flocks of starlings come through from time to time but, thankfully, they seem to prefer the neighbouring streets.  Flocks of pigeons fly over fairly frequently (there are quite a few pigeon racing enthusiasts around here, so they're probably not feral ones) but they hardly ever stop by.  The only introduced species of bird that is a regular visitor to our garden is the European blackbird.

Frances wrote on Oct 20^th, 2012 at 7:05am:

For some reason there are hardly any mynahs where we live - a few years back there were quite a few, but they've almost all gone now - funny thing is that the numbers of the native noisy miners increased at about the same time and there's now almost as many of them as there used to be of the mynahs.  Flocks of starlings come through from time to time but, thankfully, they seem to prefer the neighbouring streets.  Flocks of pigeons fly over fairly frequently (there are quite a few pigeon racing enthusiasts around here, so they're probably not feral ones) but they hardly ever stop by.  The only introduced species of bird that is a regular visitor to our garden is the European blackbird.

There has been a decline in indian mynahs in my area also over the years. I've put it down to the increase in trees which has encouraged the larger birds to nest - magpies, currawongs, kookaburrahs and the cuckoo shrike - all quite aggressive in their territorial fights. Lorikeets are also prolific and can be extremely aggressive and intimidating even to the larger birds.

The mynahs have been driven away, but unfortunately the small native birds have almost disappeared too. It's survival of the strongest.

Frances wrote on Oct 20^th, 2012 at 7:05am:

rabbitoh07 wrote on Oct 19th, 2012 at 7:55pm: But mynahs are enemy No 1 where I live. For some reason there are hardly any mynahs where we live - a few years back there were quite a few, but they've almost all gone now .

Some councils have been running programs to trap and eradicate the indian mynah.

Not sure of where you live perhaps its near a council that is already trapping these pests.

Frances wrote on Oct 18^th, 2012 at 11:22am:

I would say that starlings are more of a pest that the mynahs.  How about we start with the starlings instead?

NO.. lets start with the Indian Mynahs.

Starlings??? get away...

Indian Mynahs are the equivalent of Cane Toads.

They are flying  enemies to all our native birds... they don't 'fit in'.
,, they take over.

Don't dismiss this threat to our natural habitat Frances, as equal to Starlings.  That is ignorant.

They are very smart,,  and I have made approaches and enquiries re traps for these flying lice, and find it's not that easy to obtain these specific... 'mynah unfriendly' traps.. you can get plans on how to build them tho..!!
Of course I'm talking QLD,  where any good achieved comes from peoples pockets, not government.


Mynahs ARE  a MAJOR threat to our environment, and likening them to Starlings?? pls  ... read up .

Baronvonrort wrote on Oct 21^st, 2012 at 10:23am:

Some councils have been running programs to trap and eradicate the indian mynah.

I decided to check the Council's website and apparently Holroyd City Council does have an Indian Myna Trapping and Education Program (I wonder how they educate them?), but they don't seem to publicise it very well.

That might explain why, in the last week, I've only seen one Indian myna, but I've seen at least 30 or 40 starlings....

Send in the Noisy Miners. Those birds will drive anyone crazy.

While I agree that larger aggressive Australian native birds can 'handle' small infestations of local Mynahs,   it's the bigger picture that is important.

Mynahs accrue in such numbers, over time, that native birds become overwhelmed.

Drive across this country, and you will see them all over... where they never were before.

Saying local species will handle and wipe them out .. is a bit like saying
Australians taking on solar power en masse will solve the climate change problem.

A few months ago I rescued a little parakeet that fell out of his nest ... his parents were a bit over cautious and took so long getting to him, after I put him back up, that his cries attracted a mynah bird .. the import proceeded to rip the chicks head of for no reason other than because he could  ... aggressive little fkers ... I say kill the lot of them.

agreed.!!

Much more importance needs to be given to these foul birds.

I see them a lot in Bris suburbs, and they are extending more and more in to the SE Queensland ecosystem, which is already in a bad state due to excessive tree-clearing and the ozzie dream being developed throughout SEQ. Koalas are in dire straits here,  I've not heard one in yrs now (never could spot them in the trees).. but I do have lots of bird, reptile and marsupial diversity, along with the smaller things... :)... and more and more mynah's.

I know them well, ..as a kid in NZ they were really dominant, and I recall their calls very well... they are in residence on neighbouring properties, altho the native birds are , with my help, keeping them off my place...They thought that they'd take  space at my place once, when I  was away for a few weeks... when I got back and saw the dirty birds ,  I moved them on quick smart..

You CAN keep them off you own place, if you take action..!!  they are very smart,
..and if you make it uncomfortable for them they WILL keep away...like..next door. BUGGERS.!!

How??
Interested?/ 
I have tried to engage some few neighbours in chasing them off, but not enough,.... and as Council literature pointed out , in a pamphlet released here recently, it is a good idea to advise your local council of where you see them,  ..rather than chase them off to be someone else's problem. THING with that is, you ring the Council and the operator seems not to understand, for a while, and then can't get anyone as they're all out in the field, etc.

I followed up on the traps with the Council, who eventually were able to tell me,  that the plans for the traps were available from another society.. to do with birds..??

Needless to say I continue  discouraging them from my own place, and spreading the word to anyone who'll listen..

:)
Do you know how to piss them off from your place?  I'll tell you.... assuming your circumstances aren't significantly diff in scale than mine,  it should work OK. :)

Emma wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2012 at 10:43pm:

While I agree that larger aggressive Australian native birds can 'handle' small infestations of local Mynahs,   it's the bigger picture that is important. Mynahs accrue in such numbers, over time, that native birds become overwhelmed. Drive across this country, and you will see them all over... where they never were before.

The traps haven't always proved successful. They don't only just trap mynahs, they catch doves, lorikeets, wattle birds etc. also. I'm not sure whether other species can even be separated from the mynahs before they're euthanised by gas.


Quote:

Saying local species will handle and wipe them out .. is a bit like saying Australians taking on solar power en masse will solve the climate change problem.

I can only speak for the changes occurring locally and the mynah birds are certainly not as prolific as they used to be. Native species obviously can't wipe them out, but they can help drive them away under the right conditions.

not knowing your area I can't comment on your local problem.

The traps I refer to are apparently specifically intended for mynahs. It is claimed that native birds like those you mentioned  and magpies, inquisitive as they are, , won't enter the traps and be caught, due to the design.

Mynahs apparently have particular behaviours, and characteristics not shared by native birds,  and these traps utilise those differences. Nor do they harm the birds.
So they say, tho I can't confirm that because I don't have one nor have I used one...

like I said I focus on my immediate location...  the bigger problem is just that... a bigger problem than I can affect, except locally.

So I chase them away...  OK?? :)

mantra wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2012 at 7:38pm:

Native species obviously can't wipe them out, but they can help drive them away under the right conditions.

Where I am it looks like the noisy miners have just about done that.  Things are obviously different in Brisbane though.

Mind you they're not all gone - I did see two Indian mynas today.....

Emma wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2012 at 8:06pm:

So I chase them away...  OK?? :)

If you can be bothered doing that often enough - it helps a bit. They're easily frightened.

Frances wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2012 at 8:49pm:

mantra wrote on Oct 23rd, 2012 at 7:38pm: Native species obviously can't wipe them out, but they can help drive them away under the right conditions. Where I am it looks like the noisy miners have just about done that.  Things are obviously different in Brisbane though. Mind you they're not all gone - I did see two Indian mynas today.....

I've seen a few noisy mynahs lately after a long absence. It's possible they can drive the others away. Perhaps some of our native birds are getting better at defending their territory.

Not a matter of being bothered.  It's important to me to protect the creatures that live on the land I hold, small as it is..

Mynahs are a huge threat.

They have a much wider habitat -type affinity than our natives.... they adapt and multiply....   

..and you can see them as far west as St George  at least, and Roma,  and most places inbetween.

the govt. should relax the laws about slug guns and sling shots .... the local kids would soon take care of the little fkers whilst at the same time getting out from behind the TV or PC, exercising and having fun.....

.........I've seen a few noisy mynahs lately after a long absence.........   MANTRA

Thats WRONG.Mantra.

You mean Noisy Miners ,  as in the quote by Frances  previously.

John Smith wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2012 at 9:14pm:

the govt. should relax the laws about slug guns and sling shots .... the local kids would soon take care of the little fkers whilst at the same time getting out from behind the TV or PC, exercising and having fun.....

There's an idea JS :)

Altho I'd leave it at Shanghais.....  you don't even need to hit the beggars,  you just need to keep lofting rocks their way until they get the idea, and go somewhere else... :) :)
And it's fun, seeing how close you can get to 'em in the trees, on the ground...   but they're smart... they post look-outs.!! :)

Emma wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2012 at 9:20pm:

John Smith wrote on Oct 23rd, 2012 at 9:14pm: the govt. should relax the laws about slug guns and sling shots .... the local kids would soon take care of the little fkers whilst at the same time getting out from behind the TV or PC, exercising and having fun..... There's an idea JS :) Altho I'd leave it at Shanghais.....  you don't even need to hit the beggars,  you just need to keep lofting rocks their way until they get the idea, and go somewhere else... :) :) And it's fun, seeing how close you can get to 'em in the trees, on the ground...   but they're smart... they post look-outs.!! :)

yes but that just moves them onto the next street ... I'd rather be rid of them, unless we can move them back to India what the point of just moving them from one suburb to another ....

well that is really my point/.... after all..

perhaps I should be clearer... I think that it should be a major focus of environmental protection to have a concerted effort to get rid of them, and that's not possible on a local basis.
Further,  .. that how ever much local Councils are aware of the issue,  they're never going to have enough funds to set-up an effective campaign.  There are lot's of people aware of the problem,but no really concerted effort to do anything about them.

Unlike another unfolding problem here in SEQ,... which is the continuing discovery of large
'fire ant' colonies.  The Q Govt claims it will beat them,  but no other nation in the world has,  and if we fail up here, it won't be long, just like cane toads , before these enviro disasters spread .  There have been  major on-going attempts at the eradication of fire-ants, since they were first discovered, maybe a decade (?) or so ago, around the port of Brisbane. They are now using helicopters with special heat-sensing equip to try and locate nests.!!

Now, they are found in widely separated and increasing areas.
They haven't made it down to the Gold Coast  YET,  and are slowly advancing west towards the Darling Downs,  a major food growing region in Australia.

Now  NOT EVERYONE would want to tackle a fire-ants nest,  as they have been fatal to humans......
and Cane Toads???  they're in ... done deal.. too late...

but we could all work on Mynah birds.....  the Indian Mynah bird..... because we all see them everyday, whether we notice or not.!!

Cheers.
:) :)

Emma wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2012 at 9:45pm:

well that is really my point/.... after all.. perhaps I should be clearer... I think that it should be a major focus of environmental protection to have a concerted effort to get rid of them, and that's not possible on a local basis. Further,  .. that how ever much local Councils are aware of the issue,  they're never going to have enough funds to set-up an effective campaign.  There are lot's of people aware of the problem,but no really concerted effort to do anything about them. Unlike another unfolding problem here in SEQ,... which is the continuing discovery of large 'fire ant' colonies.  The Q Govt claims it will beat them,  but no other nation in the world has,  and if we fail up here, it won't be long, just like cane toads , before these enviro disasters spread .  There have been  major on-going attempts at the eradication of fire-ants, since they were first discovered, maybe a decade (?) or so ago, around the port of Brisbane. They are now using helicopters with special heat-sensing equip to try and locate nests.!! Now, they are found in widely separated and increasing areas. They haven't made it down to the Gold Coast  YET,  and are slowly advancing west towards the Darling Downs,  a major food growing region in Australia. Now  NOT EVERYONE would want to tackle a fire-ants nest,  as they have been fatal to humans...... and Cane Toads???  they're in ... done deal.. too late... but we could all work on Mynah birds.....  the Indian Mynah bird..... because we all see them everyday, whether we notice or not.!! Cheers. :) :)

I thought they had gotten the spread of fire ants under control? I too am in SE Qld, and I haven't seen any   .... I know there was a big campaign against them a few years ago... but it's quietened down somewhat now .

well I don't know about that JS.
Depends on what you want to believe I guess.. I also heard some pollie claim that it was under control, with some 'end-date' in sight  ....
:-?
but I live in an area which has just been notified of it's first 'fire-ant' nest(s) within the last 6mths..or so...

and in the last 2-3 mths helicopters have been active, in this and surrounding areas..with associated Roadside Signs  advising of fire-ant heli-searches as recently as last week.

So.. I wouldn't believe the hype... if we fail, life will definitely change in the Great Australian Outdoors.!!

But as for the Indian Mynah...  it will have just as profound an impact,  JUST it won't be as noticeable to the average aussie... for a long while. I think eradicating Indian Mynahs, is just as important as eradicating fire ants,  BUT ...that is not where the money is being spent.

Emma wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2012 at 9:14pm:

.........I've seen a few noisy mynahs lately after a long absence.........   MANTRA Thats WRONG.Mantra. You mean Noisy Miners ,  as in the quote by Frances  previously.

Yes. I assumed she was talking about the Australian native miner. I didn't realise the names were spelt differently.

I'm up north a bit from Sydney and quite a few of the larger native birds have returned to the area possibly because of their diminishing habitat elsewhere. The large birds also have a better chance of survival against domestic predators - cats and dogs.

Birds are my favourite animal and there isn't much we can do to protect them unless we keep a vigilant eye on our own gardens. Growing trees and plenty of large shrubs helps.

Emma wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2012 at 10:19pm:

well I don't know about that JS. Depends on what you want to believe I guess.. I also heard some pollie claim that it was under control, with some 'end-date' in sight  .... :-? but I live in an area which has just been notified of it's first 'fire-ant' nest(s) within the last 6mths..or so... and in the last 2-3 mths helicopters have been active, in this and surrounding areas..with associated Roadside Signs  advising of fire-ant heli-searches as recently as last week. So.. I wouldn't believe the hype... if we fail, life will definitely change in the Great Australian Outdoors.!! But as for the Indian Mynah...  it will have just as profound an impact,  JUST it won't be as noticeable to the average aussie... for a long while. I think eradicating Indian Mynahs, is just as important as eradicating fire ants,  BUT ...that is not where the money is being spent.

searching for ants with helicoptors? .... who thought of doing that .....

John Smith wrote on Oct 24^th, 2012 at 8:19am:

Emma wrote on Oct 23rd, 2012 at 10:19pm: well I don't know about that JS. Depends on what you want to believe I guess.. I also heard some pollie claim that it was under control, with some 'end-date' in sight  .... :-? but I live in an area which has just been notified of it's first 'fire-ant' nest(s) within the last 6mths..or so... and in the last 2-3 mths helicopters have been active, in this and surrounding areas..with associated Roadside Signs  advising of fire-ant heli-searches as recently as last week. So.. I wouldn't believe the hype... if we fail, life will definitely change in the Great Australian Outdoors.!! But as for the Indian Mynah...  it will have just as profound an impact,  JUST it won't be as noticeable to the average aussie... for a long while. I think eradicating Indian Mynahs, is just as important as eradicating fire ants,  BUT ...that is not where the money is being spent. searching for ants with helicoptors? .... who thought of doing that .....

the helicoptor hire company..

Some smarty  ;)
There is a special 'Bio-Security' taskforce who's job it is to seek and destroy fire-ants... to eradicate them.!!

The helicopters use specialised heat-seeking equipment, like a radar from the air, sort of., 

fire ant nests apparently have a particular 'heat-signature' unlike native ant nests.

Fascinating isn't it.  ?

I hope they succeed, because we really don't want these ants getting established in Australia.
The wee beasties originate in the Sth American rainforest I think,  and spread north till they now reside in much of the southern US, as well.

And now here.  But so far, I believe, only parts of SEQ are infested.... the idea is to stop them here, before they can spread.  It is sort of a 'horror movie'. :(

Emma wrote on Oct 24^th, 2012 at 5:47pm:

Some smarty  ;) There is a special 'Bio-Security' taskforce who's job it is to seek and destroy fire-ants... to eradicate them.!! The helicopters use specialised heat-seeking equipment, like a radar from the air, sort of.,  fire ant nests apparently have a particular 'heat-signature' unlike native ant nests. Fascinating isn't it.  ? I hope they succeed, because we really don't want these ants getting established in Australia. The wee beasties originate in the Sth American rainforest I think,  and spread north till they now reside in much of the southern US, as well. And now here.  But so far, I believe, only parts of SEQ are infested.... the idea is to stop them here, before they can spread.  It is sort of a 'horror movie'. :(

you live and learn ..... thanks ...

Here's a link to some rather interesting information about fire ants: http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/4790_4547.htm

http://myrmecos.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/geminata.jpg

thanks for that info frances. :)

they are a fearsome enemy.
as I said, no other country invaded by these ants have successfully beaten them.

Lets hope we are the first... and that we develop methodology which works elsewhere also.

Emma wrote on Oct 24^th, 2012 at 9:17pm:

thanks for that info frances. :) they are a fearsome enemy. as I said, no other country invaded by these ants have successfully beaten them. Lets hope we are the first... and that we develop methodology which works elsewhere also.

maybe we can feed them canetoads? or mynah birds?