Acridotheres tristis

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Family

Sturnidae

Genus

Acridotheres

Species

tristis

Common Names

Common Myna, Indian Myna, House Myna, Talking Myna, Locust Starling and Myna.

Distinguishing Features

The Common Myna is a medium sized (23 to 25cm) bird with chocolate-brown plumage.  Its head and throat are glossy black with greenish highlights.  The bill and head are deep yellow.  The Common Myna has a distinctive bare yellow patch behind the eye.  It has a long black tail with white tips and a large white panel on the wings that is visible during flight.  Both the adult male and female Common Myna birds are similar in appearance.  The young resemble a dull shade of the adults.

Survey Techniques

Visual identification and calls.

Species Call

An unpleasant collection of growls and other harsh notes.

Similar Species

The Common Myna is often confused with the slightly larger native Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala ) as they both have yellow eye patches and bills.  Although they have similar names they are from different families; the Noisy Miner is a honeyeater while the Common Myna is a starling.

Distribution

There is a patchy distribution through southeast Australia.

Country of Origin

This species inhabits many countries of southern Asia, including India, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, southern China and Vietnam. It was introduced to Canberra in 1968.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

Only 110 birds were introduced to Canberra in 1968 in the suburb of Forrest.  Now virtually all Canberra suburbs are inhabited. Urban bird surveys conducted yearly by the Canberra Ornithologists Group (COG) recorded a 25-fold increase in abundance of Common Mynas between 1981 and 1996.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Since introduction, the Common Myna has increased in abundance and now poses a significant threat to biodiversity. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) nominates it as one of the 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Species.

LSCCES Population

Many sightings were made in Turner and some in Civic West.

Associated vegetation community

Common Mynas prefer woodland forests with an open grassland understorey, or any area with limited vegetation, including urban areas.

Limiting Resources

Hollow-bearing trees for nesting sites are preferable, however in the absence of suitable trees, the Common Myna shows flexibility in the use of nest sites.  Urban features such as holes in buildings, bridges and crevices, unused vehicles or drainage holes are also used.

Breeding

Common Mynas mate for life and build fairly messy nests in a variety of manmade or natural sites, using leaves, feathers, grasses or rubbish. Couples will often fight for a nest site violently with other Mynas or other bird species, clawing and jabbing until one couple is defeated. Within the ACT, the breeding season occurs from the start of September through to the end of December. On average 2 eggs are successfully laid and hatched.

Behaviour

Common Mynas are social birds and can usually be sighted in small flocks or pairs. They compete aggressively with other bird species. During the evening, the birds gather together in communal roosts and the noise from their calls can be deafening.

Functional Group

Omnivore

Food Species

The Common Myna is a scavenger and will feed on fruits, seeds, berries, invertebrates, nectar and grains.  They will also feed on a variety of food scraps from urban waste and even pet food.

Predators

Within the ACT region, predators for the species are limited, linking to the rapid success of the species within the region.

Interesting Fact

Common Myna birds were introduced to Australia to eat the insect pests on the Queensland cane fields.