Myna birds

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What a wonderful thread, thanks to Booyakasha for starting it. Mynahs are such fascinating birds.

I've been in touch with ImAnAspie by pm, so I'm aware of his RL problems as well as his interest in Mynah birds. As the private message system isn't working very well at the moment, I'll just take this opportunity to wish him a speedy recovery again, and ask him to send me news when he can.

Yeah ImAnAspie, wishing you speedy recovery!

Get back home soon.

The arrival of Myna birds into Australia
The Myna bird (also known as Indian Myna and Common Myna) (Acridotheres tristis) was introduced into Australia in 1862 to control insect pests in Melbourne market gardens and then Sydney. Shortly after, it was released in North Queensland to control cane beetles attracted to sugar cane crops. Cane toads were released for the same reason. Throughout their native habitat in India and SE Asia, myna birds are known as 'the farmers friend' as they eat insects that damage many crops. However, they have adapted to suit many environments and have established populations in many parts of the world, including Australia.

Myna birds are largely restricted to eastern Australia, but are spreading across many States and into many regional areas of Victoria, NSW and Queensland. They have occupied the ACT since 1968, and have now become established in almost all suburbs of the city as well as rural areas and nature reserves. They occupy several other major cities including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns and Townsville. They have spread throughout coastal areas, rural and agricultural landscapes, nature reserves and national parks, and into many regional centres. They have historically occupied urban areas, but are increasingly colonising rural and agricultural landscapes.

Myna bird biology and breeding
Myna birds are a small-medium sized brown coloured bird often found in small flocks or large family groups. They use communal roost sites during the night and forage mainly on the ground. They scavenge around urban landscapes taking insects and fruit. Apart from females that may be incubating eggs or nesting, mynas tend to sleep during the night in communal roosts. These communal roosts may be located within a kilometre or so from where you see individuals, and are usually in dense vegetation or trees. Communal roosts may consist of several hundred birds which gather at the site or near to the site in late afternoon. Roosting sites are also usually easy to find as myna birds are very vocal in these roosting sites.

Myna birds form breeding pairs by around September each year and breeding occurs between September and March. They usually nest in roof cavities, natural tree hollows, and under the eaves of buildings, and they have 4-5 chicks. Once fledged, offspring and adults may travel in small family groups. Larger groups of 20 or more birds may also be seen. Outside of breeding times, myna's will generally roost in communal roost sites - which will split up in the mornings and reform during the late afternoon. It is thought that communal roost sites are located near reliable food sources, such as a racecourse.

Enjoy my Myna surge of enthusiasm for Myna Birds

When I was a kid, a neighbor had a mynah bird. The guy would say to the bird "Kiss me," and the bird would say, "I'd rather die."

P.S. I always spelled it mynah. Merriam Webster uses the same spelling, but Wikipedia uses myna. I guess both are okay.

"All aboard... the buffet is open 24/7"