From ‘gentle’ and ‘graceful’ to the ‘cane toad of the sky’: how Australia turned on the common myna
Australians now loathe the common myna. But the bird was introduced for a reason – and was often liked and admired for most of its 164 years here.
The common myna, an introduced starling species from South and Central Asia, has earned Australia's ire over its abundance and bold nature. Initially brought to control insects, mynas are now deemed "Australia's most hated bird" and are listed among the world's 100 worst invasive species. The perception of mynas has shifted from admiration to loathing over the past 164 years.
Once considered gentle and graceful, mynas are now seen as bold, arrogant, and fiercely aggressive. Despite their historical ability to eat or damage fruit crops, public opinion has turned against them in recent decades. Research has found mynas may outcompete native parrots for breeding space, earning them the moniker "flying cane toads" or "common thugs of the bird world."
While myna numbers may appear to decrease due to trapping efforts, they are likely here to stay, as their behavior and appearance have remained unchanged.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
