Did you know the Indian mynah is a common bird in Alberton that was introduced to South Africa?
The mynah is a large member of the starling family. It is not easily confused with other birds that frequent Alberton. Its body is largely brown fading to black closer to the head areas. The bill and feet of the mynah are yellow. In flight, large white patches on its wings allow it to easily be identified.
Indian mynahs are commonly seen in pairs or small flocks. They gather in large flocks each night to roust together. Mynahs pair for life with the same pair roosting month after month. As with all starlings, the mynah is an omnivore. It feeds on fruits, seeds and a large number of insects.
Read: Garden birds of Alberton: The Cape wagtail
The mynah is considered a damaging invasive species in South Africa. It was introduced to South Africa in the early 1900s and has since grown greatly in number, especially in urban areas where the mynah is drawn to the waste created by humans.
The nature of the species has led to it being counted among the 100 worst invasive species in the world by the Global Invasive Species Specialist Group, one of only three birds that have made it on to the list.
Read: Garden birds of Alberton: The red-headed finch
The mynah is highly territorial and aggressive which leads to it chasing off other birds that enter into its territory. It makes its nests in hollows, either in buildings or in trees, which is a coveted spot for nesting birds.
The mynah’s territoriality does not allow other birds to share its nesting sites which severely impacts the number of birds in your garden if you have nesting mynahs. They are listed as an invasive species making it illegal to acquire, possess, keep, breed, sell, purchase, donate or to receive as a gift, import into and transport a mynah.
Sources:
https://www.krugerpark.co.za/krugerpark-times-3-6-bird-threat-22588.html
https://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0038-23532007000600008
https://www.sanparks.org/groups/birders/alien_birds.php
Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa
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