Indian Miner Birds on the World Conservation Union’s list of 100 most invasive species – is a major pest in Australia’s eastern States. They are highly intelligent and prolific breeders with a pair producing 10 chicks per year swelling to 15,000 birds after 5 years

Mynas can cause considerable damage to ripening fruit, particularly grapes, cereal crops such as maize, wheat and rice are susceptible where they occur near urban areas.

Roosting and nesting with humans create aesthetic and health concerns. Mynas are known to carry avian malaria and exotic parasites such as the Ornithonyssus bursia mite which can cause dermatitis in humans. The myna can help spread agricultural weeds: for example, it spreads the seeds of Lantana camara which has been classed as a Weed of National Significance because of its invasiveness.

Mynas take over nests and hollows, kill the young and destroy the eggs of native bird species including seabirds and parrots and kill small mammals. (Source: DPI NSW)