PEST PATROL: NSW Department of Primary Industries research officer Peter West encourages people to report Indian myna bird sightings. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0524myna2
INDIAN myna birds are moving into Orange’s central business district and one resident is concerned for the wellbeing of native species.
Rodney Shrimpton noticed 12 Indian myna birds congregating in the Orange City Council’s Ophir car park in Kite Street. He said he had never seen the birds that far in town and was worried it was a sign of worse things to come.
“When I saw them I thought to myself ‘I don’t like this, I don’t like this at all’,” he said.
“They haven’t come this far in before and I am worried it means they will spread further and that would be devastating for native parrots.”
Mr Shrimpton said Indian myna birds could destroy native parrot populations.
“They work in teams and they raid the nests of native birds and kill their babies,” he said.
NSW Department of Primary Industries research officer Peter West said there had been birds at Bunnings for several years but he recently noticed one further in town.
“We don’t know why they are moving into town,” he said.
“They are usually sedentary and once they have a good spot they will stay there.”
Mr West said the community had to work together to combat the spread of Indian myna birds.
“It is really important members of the public are aware of what the birds look like and that they report sightings,” he said.
People can report sightings of Indian myna birds on http://www.feralscan.org.au/ mynascan/.
nicole.kuter@ruralpress.com