Dealing with Indian Mynas

[Syd Curtis <>]

Paul,

        Something similar worked for Bernard O'Reilly (notable for finding the crashed Stinson aircraft in the Lamington rainforests back c. 1937).  I recall seeing him at O'Reilly's Guest House waving his arms and calling out, "Go on Currawongs.  Get away!" or something like that, and the Currawongs would flee.  The handsome male Regent Bowerbirds that would shortly be feeding off his hand, knew he wasn't referring to them and were quite unperturbed.  

As you imply, it's only a strictly local solution, but it is an interesting insight into bird intelligence.

Cheers

Syd
> From: "Paul and Irene Osborn" <>
> Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2004 12:36:10 +1100
> To: "bobnoreen" <>
> Cc: <>
> Subject: Re: [BIRDING-AUS] Dealing with Indian Mynas
>
> I have my own way of getting rid of feral birds from my property which is so far working well. I yell at them, and tell them to buzz (euphemism) off. If they don't get the message I throw something at them. I also talk nicely to any birds that I would like to stay around. I see very few Mynahs and no Starlings or Sparrows for a couple of years now. This approach probably won't work in an urban setting, and is, as you say, merely relocating the problem. Works for me though.
Paul Osborn