ABOUT
THE PROJECT
The Australian
Rainforest Foundation in conjunction with the Australian
National University is undertaking research to determine
whether it is possible to develop a large scale trap
to capture and destroy large populations of this introduced
pest.
The
ultimate objective of this research is to minimize
risk to native wildlife and human health and amenity
by developing safe, humane and cost-effective systems
for the control of Indian Mynas, Acridotheres tristis ,
especially at communal roosts.
The
current project follows the recent development of safe,
selective and humane systems for trapping mynas at
feeding areas – in
small numbers. Earlier trials indicate that feeding
area traps are not effective at reducing myna numbers
in high density situations, such as Cairns , where there
are up to 1,000 birds per square kilometre.
To
develop roost traps, field studies of behaviour will
be made at wild roosts, in parallel with experimental
analysis of roosting preferences in controlled situations
in large,
outdoor aviaries. These will be located in Canberra
- with a cool dry climate (currently constructed) and
in wet tropical Cairns .
The ultimate aims
of the study are to determine if it is possible to successfully
construct a super-attractive, mobile, synthetic roost
that can be used to trap roosting flocks of mynas - potentially
hundreds of birds at a time.
Working with the
Australian Rainforest Foundation is the Australian National
University , Cairns City Council, Cairns Water and birding
groups in Cairns. This has enabled a collaborative research
plan to be developed.
The research
plan is to concurrently investigate wild myna roosts
in the Cairns area, and to experimentally determine
myna roost preferences in a large, outdoor aviary. Investigations
will be focused on myna behaviour in the breeding (wet)
season and non-breeding (dry) season. The final steps
in the process will be to implement field trials of
a prototype roost trap and to communicate the results
of the research to stakeholders through workshops and
other media.
WHAT
ARE OUR OBJECTIVES
We
want to find out about Indian Myna roosts in the Cairns
area to inform the development of control methods for
this feral pest.
Myna roosts are locations where these birds sleep in
large groups at night. We are not interested in where
they nest – lay eggs and rear young – only
where they sleep.
Roosts can be identified
by looking for large groups of mynas just before dusk.
Mynas roost in trees, palms, and sometimes buildings.
They may contain dozens, or sometimes hundreds of birds.
Roosting
mynas make a lot of noise before they go to sleep – on
still air a large roost can be heard from many metres
away. Click this image  to
hear what a myna roost sounds like.
HOW
YOU CAN HELP
Myna roosts in Cairns:
call for public assistance.
Information on where mynas
roost in large numbers is important. If you
know of any myna roosts please help by filling out
the information below. |
