This help sheet is intended as a guide to trapping Indian Mynas.
Traps are to be only placed on private property, to avoid possible public sensitivity and public liability issues and to avoid vandalism.
- Place the trap in a relatively open area or where birds already feed, if possible. Another good spot seems to be under power lines in an area where there are not people or animal traffic (ie behind the carport in the vegie patch).
- Bait the trap with a food the birds are accustomed to feeding on. Suburban feeding birds are used to pet food as many pet owners leave food out for their pets during the day. Using small dry dog and cat biscuits has been very successful as has VIP pet roll. Wet dog or cat food is not so nice in hot weather though
- do not using cereal and grain-based foods (birdseed and breadcrumbs etc) as this attracts non-target birds such as crested pigeons and parrots.
- Put a little loose feed outside the funnel entrances to attract mynas to the area, in the tunnel, and inside the feeding chamber where the mynas can see the food directly in front of them when they are in the tunnel. Put food in the larger containment chamber for captured birds, and provide fresh water
- loose feeding will attract the birds into your area. You should not over feed outside the trap, as this will not encourage the birds to enter the trap. Use loose feed only to encourage the birds to feed, not to feed them.
- Monitor daily to ensure bait and water are available while trapping.
- Keep pets (particularly cats) away when trapping as the birds see cats and dogs as predators and are unlikely to approach the trap.
- Clean (hose down). Relocate trap after the area becomes soiled from captured birds, as they don’t appear to like being around their own excrement. Place newspaper or cardboard under the trap if using the trap on paved surfaces to avoid spoiling your pavements.
- Don’t be disappointed if you don’t catch birds every day. They are spasmodic in their movements, so keep at it. They may have moved to another food source in the area but will return if you keep feeding.
- If you keep a call bird in the containment chamber of your trap, this is likely to encourage others to the trap. This is not essential, and if you do this you must provide captive birds with food, water and shelter.
- Use gloves when handling live or dead birds as wild birds may carry disease.
- Abide by the CIMAG Protocol on Animal Welfare: this has been cleared by the RSPCA.
- You can take captured birds to the RSPCA at Weston (the first building in the RSPCA complex as you enter Kirkpatrick St, Weston) for euthanising and disposal for free:
- the RSPCA has agreed to do this up till 5:00pm on weekdays and 3:30pm on weekends.
Contact: Bill Handke, 6231 7461 or handke@grapevine.net.au
CIMAG website: www.indianmynaaction.org.au
Send a blank email to news-subscribe@indianmynaaction.org.au to get the Myna Matters Bulletin and news.