Common myna
Acridotheres tristis
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Photo credit: ©K.W. Bridges/University of Hawai'i
Acridotheres tristis
Description:
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
Known Introduced Range
Potential or Known Impacts:
How could it get here?
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
Methods for Prevention:
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Current Legislative Position (Listed on 14 August 2019)
Acridotheres tristis
Description:
- Common mynas are 23-26cm long, with a medium-heavy build. It has cocoa-brown plumage, with the head, neck and upper breast having glossy black. It has an erectile crest on its head, and has a yellow bill, legs and feet. Common mynas walk rather than hop. They call throughout the day, with intense calling at dawn and dusk.
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
- The common myna is native to central and southern Asia and is widely distributed throughout India, Afghanistan, Turkestan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka as well as much of southern China and Indochina.
Known Introduced Range
- The common myna has been introduced to parts of South East Asia, New Zealand, eastern Australia, southern Africa and Madagascar.
- It is also present in many islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean.
- France has had reports of breeding mynas.
Potential or Known Impacts:
- Negative impacts are seen as this species is known to become dominant over native species over food and nest sites, predation on native species, and spreading invasive plants.
How could it get here?
- On large landmasses, including within large islands, invasion pathways appear to be primarily along roads.
- Pet shops and subsequent escapees from private collections are a key pathway.
- On oceanic islands, invasion pathways appear to be primarily via ships, particularly large ferries.
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- Not present in Northern Ireland.
Methods for Prevention:
- Most introductions have involved transport and release; prevention of transporting this species is key. The removal of this species should be imperative, where it has been demonstrated that this species has negative impacts on native plants and species.
- Report all sightings.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Current Legislative Position (Listed on 14 August 2019)
- This species must not intentionally be brought into the Union; kept; bred; transported to, from or within the United Kingdom, unless for the transportation to facilities in the context of eradication; placed on the market; used or exchanged; permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated; or released into the environment.