Indian myna

• Medium-sized bird with body 23–26cm long, wing span 120–142mm, weight 82–143g.
• Feathers are brown with glossy black head, neck, upper breast.
• Bill is bright yellow, as are eye skin, legs, feet.
• Wings have distinctive white patches visible in flight.

• Prefers warm to hot climates.
• Lives in open habitats such as parks, gardens and cleared agricultural areas.

• Found throughout Queensland.

• Can breed 1–3 times per year.
• Average lifespan of 4 years in wild, possibly more than 12 years.

• Fruit, vegetables and cereal crops.

Environmental

• Reduces breeding success of some native parrot species. Competes aggressively for nesting hollows and can break eggs, kill chicks, and evict native parrots from nest boxes or tree hollows.
• Competes for tree hollows with other native wildlife (e.g. possums and gliders). Indian mynas can kill small mammals and remove sugar gliders from hollows.

Economic

• Damages fruit, vegetables and cereal crops.
• Spreads weeds such as lantana and fireweed.

Social

• Potential reservoir for diseases such as avian malaria.
• Large roosts and nests can cause noise, mess, potential allergies and fire hazards.
• Can swoop and attack people.

• Plant native vegetation that is not attractive to this species.
• Limit access to additional food such as pet food.
• Reduce nesting sites by blocking access to gutters and removing exotic palms.
• Remove nests and eggs.
• Conduct coordinated trapping (e.g. through a community action group).

• The Indian myna is not a prohibited or restricted invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014. However, by law, everyone has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control.
• Local governments must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive plants and animals in their area. This plan may include actions to be taken on Indian myna. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local government for more information.