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 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 to 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.