Myna are medium-sized birds with a yellow beak, legs and eye patches. They can be aggressive, outcompeting native birds for food, territory and nesting sites.
Description
- Medium-sized (100–140 g) brown, black and white bird
- with yellow beak, legs and eye patches
- they walk rather than hop
- often in pairs or small family groups.
What you need to know
They outcompete native birds for food, territory, and nesting cavities and may attack other birds' nests. Myna can prey on vulnerable invertebrates. They also cause economic loss when gathering in large numbers to feed on stock food, crops, or fruit.
Management approach
Two myna birds have been reported in Waitaha Canterbury, near New Brighton in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
A contractor has removed one bird with a single known myna bird remaining. Control efforts are ongoing.
If you see any myna birds in Waitaha, do not approach or feed them. Report any sightings to us at a location on 0800 324 636.
Myna are medium-sized birds with a yellow beak, legs and eye patches. Photo credit: Tanuj Handa
Myna bird in flight, brown, black and white bird feathers clearly visible
Myna bird chick
Myna birds can be aggressive, outcompeting native birds for food, territory and nesting sites. Photo credit: Graham Winterflood and Richard Taylor
