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Common Myna

Did you know?

The Common Myna's success is mostly a result of its opportunistic behaviour and aggressiveness towards other species, bullying them around food sources and out competing them for nesting sites.

Calls
The voice is unpleasant: a collection of growls and other harsh notes.The noise from large groups of Common Mynas can be deafening.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
23cm
Maximum Size: 
26cm
Average size: 
24cm
Average weight: 
116g
Breeding season: 
October to March
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Introduced
NSW: 
Introduced
NT: 
Introduced
QLD: 
Introduced
SA: 
Introduced
TAS: 
Introduced
VIC: 
Introduced
WA: 
Introduced
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Acridotheres tristis
Featured bird groups: 
Birds behaving badly
Survey species
Top 40 Bird Songs
Introduced birds
Atlas Number: 
998
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Common Myna is brown with a black head. It has a yellow bill, legs and bare eye skin. In flight it shows large white wing patches. The Common Myna is a member of the starling family and is also known as the Indian Myna or Indian Mynah.

Similar species: 

The Common Myna is sometimes confused with the slightly larger (24 cm - 29 cm) Noisy Miner, Manorina melanocephala. Although both species have similar common names, the Noisy Miner is actually a native honeyeater. Both have yellow bills, legs and bare eye skin, but the Common Myna is brown with a black head and in flight it shows large white wing patches. The Noisy Miner is mostly grey.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Common Myna is found along the east and south-east coasts of Australia. Introduced at Melbourne from south-east Asia between 1862 and 1872, it established quickly, with several other introductions occurring until the 1950's.

Habitat: 

The Common Myna is closely associated with human habitation. In the evening, large groups of Common Mynas gather in communal roosts, mainly in the non-breeding season, in roof voids, bridges, and large trees, and numbers can reach up to several thousands.

Seasonal movements: 

What does it do?
Feeding: 

Common Mynas are accomplished scavengers, feeding on almost anything, including insects, fruits and vegetables, scraps, pets' food and even fledgling sparrows.

Breeding: 

Common Mynas mate for life. During the breeding season there is usually considerable competition for nesting sites. Favoured locations are in the walls and ceilings of buildings, making these birds a nuisance to humans. Nests are also placed in tree hollows, which are used by native birds. Nests are quite messy and consist of a variety of materials. Leaves, grasses, feathers and assorted items of rubbish are common materials.

Violent battles often erupt between occupants of nesting sites and the couple that wish to evict them. Each partner grapples with its opposite number and contestants drop to the ground secured in each other's claws. Bills are jabbed ruthlessly at the opponent. Finally, the defeated couple leaves to search for another site.

Living with us

The Common Myna was introduced into the cane fields of north-eastern Queensland in 1883, to combat insect pests, particularly plague locusts and cane beetles. Other releases occurred, and by the 1940s and 1950s it was established in many eastern metropolitan areas. Failed introductions were made at Launceston, Tasmania in 1900 and later in 1955. Some sightings have occurred since, however, probably of birds that have flown there from the mainland. In southern Asia Common Mynas are not generally considered pests, as flocks follow the plough to feast on the insects and grubs turned up with the soil. In Australia, however, their fruit-eating habits make them a pest of fruit trees, especially figs. Birds are also responsible for picking off seedlings in market gardens.

References: 
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia.
Finches, Bowerbirds and Other Passerines of Australia.
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