Trapping Indian mynas

How to use the trap

Download Indian Myna pee gee trap instructions 

Trapping tips

• Do not approach the trap in daylight. Indian mynas are intelligent and suspicious birds and learn quickly to avoid danger through their own experience and watching and listening to others of their kind.
• Trapping location is important. Set the trap close to where birds already feed, or where birds overlook from vantage points such as powerlines or trees.
• Place the trap where there is minimal traffic from people and animals, such as behind a shed or carport.
• The best bait for Indian mynas is dry red coloured cat food. You can also try dried white bread, pet animal pellets or leftovers. Try a variety of foods until you are successful.
• Do not use meat as it will smell and attract rats.
• Do not use chicken feed, grains or seeds of any sort. These will attract native birds and non-target species. Some birds eat only seeds, but Indian mynas will eat anything. This is why their spread and displacement of other bird species has been so successful.
• Place food on a white plate, or the white inside cap of a large jar or container.
• For the first few days put a small amount of loose feed outside the funnel entrances to attract Indian mynas to the trap area. Also place food in the tunnel, and inside the feeding chamber.

Locals vets who will put trapped birds to sleep

Why Indian Mynas are a problem

Originally introduced to control insects, Indian mynas are a recognised invasive alien species. They are aggressive and compete with native animals for space. They force other birds and small mammals out of their own nests and tree hollows, and even throw other bird’s eggs and chicks out of their nests.

Indian mynas build large messy nests in roofs from sticks and any available rubbish they find, which can create fire risks in buildings. The accumulated droppings and mites from nests in house roofs are a breeding ground for disease, and inhaled mites can cause asthma and hay fever. They also spread rubbish about when they forage in open rubbish bins, creating a public health risk.

How to reduce the number of mynas in your garden

• Do not feed Indian mynas and clear away food scraps when eating outside.
• Feed pets indoors, or throw away leftover food after they finish eating.
• Feed stock only as much as they need, cover up feed bins and clean up spills.
• Block holes in the roof and eaves to prevent Indian mynas creating a nest.
• Planting more shrubs may reduce their presence, as they like open areas which they can monitor and are less common in dense shrubby areas. For help with plant selection use our online Indigenous Plant Guide.
• Avoid planting trees with dense foliage such as pencil pines, which mynas like to roost in at night. They are less likely roost in native trees.

Difference between Indian myna and Native noisy miner

The pest Indian myna has a chocolate brown coloured body, with black head and neck. It has a yellow beak, eye patch and legs, and has white wing patches that are visible during flight.

Photo by Suzanne Jones, Nature Share

The Native noisy miner has a pale grey chest and head, black eye patch, olive tinge strip along wings and flesh-coloured legs. As a native species they are protected and should not be trapped or injured in any way.

Photo by James Booth, Nature Share