Chris makes a good point - the evidence that Common Mynas are causing the
demise of native species is scant and there has grown a ever increasing
movement of anti-"Indian Myna" recruits with little scientific evidence to
support them. It is always hard to know whether, for example, the Peaceful
Doves have disappeared from an area because the Spotted Turtle-Doves have
taken over or whether the altered habitat no longer suits the Peaceful
Doves.
The evidence that is available indicates that Common Mynas do impact on
hollow nesting native birds in disturbed areas (urban and agricultural
areas) but the species doesn't appear to be able to penetrate relatively
undisturbed areas such as forests. Even backyards that are predominantly of
local native species, like mine, are not suitable for the Mynas.
If we want to protect the hollow-nesting natives of urban and agricultural
areas then the culling of the Common Mynas is important - although despite
the use of many traps in areas of the north coast NSW the spread continues.
Another, possibly more important method is to protect and expand areas of
native bushland in urban and agricultural areas as this will also provide
additional ecological benefits.
The proliferation of cattle feedlots in some areas has assisted the spread
of this species as well. It also benefits from food spillage around horse
stables and bird aviaries (and of course the people that can help
themselves - those that feed birds in their backyards).
And by the way let's stop calling them "Indian Mynas'. Their correct common
name is 'Common Myna' and they have a much wider natural distribution than
just India.
In case I have given the wrong impression I would like to state that I would
much prefer an Australian landscape without Common Mynas, Common Starlings,
Spotted Turtle-Doves etc. but there may be a number of ways of achieving
this that haven't been fully explored, such as habitat restoration.
Greg Clancy
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